Yummy!! I was starving after a day of travel and ate dinner here. Staff was friendly and quick to help. I sat at the bar. My server helped me navigate the menu. I chose the seafood gumbo, seafood platter and cherry cobbler! Everything was sooo tasty. Seafood was SUPER FRESH and high quality! Ambiance is family friendly but also great for anyone who wants seafood, sandwiches, soup or salad. The king crab they serve is huge. I saw a couple tables getting the crab cut tableside. Fancy. :) read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood platter - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We wanted to try Shaw's Crab House during our Chicago trip. We made a 7 PM reservation a week in advance, the restaurant was very busy so I'm not sure if they accommodate walk-ins. This a special occasion spot, with quite a few people dressing up. The food was okay but definitely on the more expensive side. read more

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Went to celebrate our daughters birthday. We made reservations for the Oyster Bar area and had to keep pushing it out due heavy traffic and road closures. They were very accommodating and kept our table being about 20 minutes behind (we did call on the way). Cocktails were done to perfection. My daughter and I shared the oyster sampler. Oysters were so fresh and delicious. We also had a crab cake appetizer along with the crispy rice tuna. So good. Everyone enjoyed their main courses from salads to yellowfin tuna was great. To top it off the staff brought out a dairy free dessert for our daughter and let me say that our waiter was very knowledgeable and checked everything for us and made recommendations for her food allergy. My wife also loves their peppermint ice cream which besides being delicious it reminds her of her childhood. As usual the room was loud and electric at the same time. Fun would be the word. We have been to this location many times and really enjoyed the oyster bar room the most. read more

Great food and service. Loved the old school decor and atmosphere. Shrimp cocktail was great.

Shaw's...a staple of Chicago for seafood, whether you're meeting the whole family for dinner, celebrating with a loved one, or taking the team out to drinks, Shaw's will not disappoint. Their large selection of seafood and other offerings ensure there is something for everyone, but I recommend the cold appetizer (2 chilled shrimp, 2 raw oysters, and a 1/2 lobster tail), the lobster tacos, the gumbo, and the crispy brussel sprouts. And if you think about leaving without trying the dessert sampler with a mini chocolate cake, crème brûlée, and key lime pie, you're out of your mind! The cake is silky and not overly sweet; the pie has quite the lime-y tang, and the crème brûlée is perfectly carmelized on top with the velvetiest vanilla custard. Service is never short of outstanding and the vibes are always swanky and lux but with a feeling that you just belong at Shaw's. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here for lunch, and it was a wonderful three course lunch. Our waitress was wonderful and knew the menu well and had great recommendations. The place is done in an art deco decor. For two people for lunch with drinks the price was very reasonable. They do take reservations and I have not eaten there for dinner. The weight staff and everybody seemed very happy to work there and then we're very accommodating to any of your requests. They even have valet parking if necessary. I will definitely be back to this place. read more

Typically, we do not go to the restaurants with $$$. But, it was recommended. This was our first time here, and getting late and they could take us right away. Taking us was amazing and so, we gave it a try. It was also our anniversary. Well, from the moment we sat down, the service was impressive. My wife ordered one of the few gluten free dishes, a huge salad with lots of seafood. I tried their lobster bisque and a sushi roll. The sushi was a spicy crunchy salmon roll. Both we on a level that I was not used to. The roll had 8 pieces, and the bowl of soup was large and very rich. So we both felt that for the money, they were all well worth it. So the value was there as the food was fantastic! Then, add in the extra water service and table straightening throughout and it was a fabulous experience! At the end, we were given a crème brûlée, which was large and over the top creamy. This was a gift for our anniversary and loved it. There are some $$$ restaurants that do not deliver their value. Shaw's, totally was outstanding in every way! read more

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I Visited Shaw's Crab House For The First Time On New Year's Eve, And Wow--It Absolutely Lived Up To Its Reputation For Old-School, Old-Money Charm. The Atmosphere Was Timeless, And The Waitstaff Was Phenomenal, Especially Given How Busy The Night Was. We Started The Evening With Two Espresso Martinis That Were Perfectly Crafted--Smooth And Rich. Then Came The *Oyster Sampler,* Which Was So Fresh And Delicious We Couldn't Resist Ordering A Second Round. For Starters, We Tried The *Chopped Salad.* It Was Good, Though Not The Best We've Had. But The Main Courses Stole The Show. I Opted For The *Pan-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass* With Caramelized Shiitake Mushrooms And Sesame Seeds, And It Was Absolute Perfection--Flaky, Flavorful, And Beautifully Presented. My Partner Chose The *Norwegian Red King Crab Legs* Served With Butter And Lemon, And He Couldn't Stop Raving About Them. Overall, This Was An Incredible Dining Experience, And I'm Already Looking Forward To My Next Visit To Shaw's. Highly Recommend For A Special Occasion Or A Treat-Yourself Evening! read more

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Another 5 star experience. Fantastic service, excellent food and drinks. Our server even brought my hubs a new favorite drink with coffee, orange, and liquor 43 that he probably never would've otherwise tried. The Shaws salad again did not disappoint for me and my favorite hot thing of the night was shockingly the shrimp. Cooked to perfection and nicely charred! We loved sitting in our corner booth and enjoying the mood of the restaurant, it gives old steakhouse vibes but with nautical decor on the walls. You can't have a bad time here! To end my hubby got a scoop of peppermint ice cream which was the absolutely perfect end to the night. He devoured the chocolate sauce while I preferred just the ice cream. Divine! Will certainly be back-- it's one of my favorites! read more

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Shaw's Crab House was an enjoyable dining experience. As a tourist, I was happily impressed with the free coat and bag check. Both were truly appreciated by me and my colleagues after a day of long meetings. We asked for booth seating and were led to an area near the bar. A great spot to people watch and enjoy conversation. While one of our companions was a frequent visitor to the restaurant, Aldo, our server, answered the questions of the new kids on the block. We settled on brussel sprouts and calamari for the table. I ordered grilled shrimp. My companions ordered salad, oysters, soup, and shrimp. Complimented by delicious drinks, we enjoyed the appetizers and our meals. The end of our meal was complimented by a delicious creme brulee shared by the table. read more

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Superb service and great food. Fair portions. Only complaint is that it smelled like freshly shellacked wood. read more

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I stopped at Shaw's when I visited Chicago to visit my buddies for a nice weekend. The place is such an old-school spot; you walk in and can just feel the history. The ambiance and service are over the top. Any time I took a sip of water, I had a waiter come over and top it back off. I ordered a bowl of seafood chowder and the ahi tuna. The table split a volcano. Sushi roll as well. Soup: 9.3 Tuna: 9.4 Sushi: 8.6 Scale system 10/10 would be what I want for my last meal 9.9-9.3 driving out of my way to get this 9.2-8.0 like the place and would go back 7.9-7.0 I would come here again if it were presented and don't have anything bad to say 6.9 and below - thanks, but no thanks after trying once read more

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This place was incredible. We came here for a graduation and were seated immediately. We ordered a clam chowder and calamari as appetizers and I got the filet mignon as my main course. The calamari was alright; it was kind of bland and the sauce wasn't my favorite. I wish there was tartar sauce instead of cocktail sauce. The clam chowder was good; it wasn't as thick as I would've liked but it was still yummy. Their homemade bread was amazing and our server saw that we enjoyed it and he gave us 4 extra rolls which was so sweet! The filet mignon was my favorite part of the meal. It was cooked perfectly rare and was juicy and tender. It tasted like butter and I was so impressed. I would definitely come back here again! read more

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Shaws is hands down the best seafood in Chicago. Moving from the east coast, I often find midwestern seafood to be pretty marginal. Shaw's changed my mind! Would recommend for all seafood and shellfish lovers. Their oysters and crab are always great quality, and I think their tuna is the best dish on the menu. Great flavors and friendly service read more

Dining room is clean and quiet, as opposed to the bar area, which has a bustling feel to it. The decor is fish-tavern classic-fake, as one would expect. The food is a mixed bag: seafood tower was very satisfying, fried asparagus was sort of filling up the space and definitely didn't belong. As for crabs, the feature attraction, it was on a worse side of so-so: tough, over-salted, and pricey. We had two kinds of crabs and both were disappointing. Chilean sea bass, i.e., Patagonian Tooth-fish was excellent. To ruin the overall OK dinner was 'optional' 3.5% surcharge to benefit the Lettuce Group, the corporate owner. It took two requests to opt out. The text explaining the charge, "to offset rising costs" , is obviously designed to insult customers' intelligence. read more

Lively atmosphere on a busy Saturday night. Our server was humorous. Our party got the cold items such as oysters, shrimp cocktail and lobster tail, followed by combo dishes with steak, scallops, garlic shrimp and crab cakes - topped off with a side of lobster Mac and cheese. The food was delicious. Great choice, would visit again! read more

We make it to Shaws every time we visit Chicago but I guess I don't always write a review. I can say it's really expensive even by Chicago standards but it is fantastic. The first few years we came here the price was a real stretch for us financially but so worth it. The first time we just go a few appetizers and we fed each other ... young poor but romantic. These days we get what we want and feed ourselves lol. We usually start with a shrimp cocktail the large shrimp have great texture and we like alot of horseradish in the cocktail sauce. Instead of our usual lobster or crab we got the cold tower of seafood. omg decedent and more than we could finish. The desserts are great to. If you like seafood and you can afford it .. this is a great place or just share something if you are young and poor like we started out. With the complementary bread and butter sharing 1 meal is an option. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

i would like to sincerely thank the good people of shaw's crab house for saving my saturday night craving of lobster rolls and for providing exceptionally great service after my friend and i walked in, wet and bedraggled from the rain, and asked to be seated. for context, we had been looking forward to attending the lobster fest on navy pier for the past two weeks, but due to unfortunate circumstances, arrived quite late. to explain my state of mind for the day, unfortunate circumstances included a devastatingly hot afternoon, followed by a drizzle turned thunderstorm... nevertheless, we persisted to navy pier, only to find out all the lobster rolls had been sold out and their other meager offerings (lobster mac n cheese and loaded lobster fries) looked sad and pathetic. and side note - how can this lobster fest call itself a lobster fest with only five tents?? ridiculous. after searching the seven seas (google maps), we settled on shaw's crab house, and it was quite possibly the best decision of august. even before we got the lobster rolls, we were treated to the best bread rolls of our lives. think of the softest, moistest, most buttery bread, delivered straight from the upper echelons of heaven; this is what i had the pleasure of eating last night. i'm sure half of it was from being absolutely famished, but by god was this the best bread i've ever had in my life. and our dear server gave us another round of bread after we devoured the first; i'm not sure of his name but thank you, kind stranger, for adding joy to my miserable day. we had resolutely decided beforehand that this had to be the best lobster roll of our lives, and shaw's definitely lived up to it. their lobster roll was buttery and absolutely filled to the brim with lobster. the bread itself was delightful; toasted to just the right temp, it added a wonderful crunch that paired well with the actual lobster itself. i honestly don't really remember eating it because it felt like one minute it was on my plate, and the next minute it was gone! the fries were also quite yummy delicious. ten years of gratitude to the chefs and waiters of shaw's crab house! they saved two girls' nights and prevented real tears from falling last night. this meal may have broken my budget, but it was 100% worth it. phenomenal. read more

I used to go here years ago with work colleagues when we wanted a nicer lunch, or when a vendor was treating us...because it is nicer and I'd say upscale. It's got an older, classic vibe, and I think better for business meals than dates. The seafood is consistently good! Everything from the salads and lobster bisque to the entrees. I had friends in from South Africa and they love seafood, so I made a reservation. We were seated in a private booth that's tucked away in a corner, which was really nice. Service was attentive and we had drinks before ordering. I chose the lobster tacos which are minis in a wonton shell, full of lobster meat. Delicious! One friend and I both chose the griddled garlic shrimp which comes with rice and he also ordered fries. Our other friend ordered a side salad and grilled calamari which she enjoyed. There are so many good choices on the menu that I need to return to going here more often. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lobster Tacos - 3 pc - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We decided to do something different for Thanksgiving and spent the weekend in Chicago. It centered around attending a performance of Much Ado About Nothing at Chicago Shakespeare (terrific, but that's a review for a different site). The show was on Friday, so, we made reservations at a hotel and for dinner at Shaw's Crab House for Thursday night. Wow! It was popping off, as the kids say, but we were seated not long after our arrival and attended to by a gracious and knowledgeable staff. We were seated in a very comfortable banquet, with plenty of room amidst a bustling dining area. It is a classic, old-style environment, but that was just the ticket on Thanksgiving! We had a little prosecco earlier so we opted for a bottle of wine. My choice, however, turned out not to be available and they were very apologetic. We re-ordered and in the meantime we had a half dozen oysters from the "tasting menu"--a selection of six different kinds--and fried calamari. Delectable! The oysters were SO fresh and briny, with vinaigrette and cocktail sauces to complement them. The calamari was fried to perfection--light, meaty, crispy. So good! For the main course, I had the Chilean sea bass and my spouse had scallops. Perfection! The sea bass was succulent and done to a turn. This fish is easy to over and under cook, so I really commend the chef in a VERY busy restaurant to have the wherewithal to cook it properly. The scallops--also notoriously difficult to prepare correctly--were also perfection. Melt in your mouth, with just a hint of char. We topped it off with a dessert sampler. I loved this! Four little pieces of heavenly confection! And a little cognac as a digestif. During the meal, one of the managers came by to apologize for not having the wine in stock and she was charming, kind and attentive. And they comped the dessert! It was a fairly expensive meal, but well worth it for such a special occasion. I'll never think of Thanksgiving in quite the same way again! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Dessert sampler - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Food was delicious, service was amazing , drinks were perfect. I was really craving some oysters, and came here on Valentine's Day. The oysters were extremely fresh and came from east and west coast. I loved the crispy rice sushi, it was sooo delicious! read more

Shaw's Crab House - Oysters Full Dozen - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stopped in to celebrate national oyster day. I enjoyed a dozen fannie bay oysters which were absolutely delicious with a ceasar salad. My dinner consisted of the walleye pike and brocollini. My friend had the crab cake. I also had a great mojito cocktail. I left very happy and I can't wait to return. Excellent service. read more

The highlight of my trip! This place had great food with a three course lunch menu option that was perfect for solo dining. The lobster bisque was creamy. The macaroni and cheese was filling and surprisingly delicious for not being baked. The crème brûlée was perfect amazing service and friendly staff that makes you feel like you are at home. Will definitely be returning here when I come back to Chicago! read more

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We were lucky enough to grab a late reservation as this spot is popular. We got the sushi platter which was plenty for two. The lobster roll was good as well. When making the reservation we were asked if there was a special celebration, we told them it was an anniversary, but nothing was done, particularly for it, otherwise a good experience. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I'll do a 2 because our waiter was so nice, but the food had absolutely no flavor Had the twin signature steaks, ordered medium and was presented with 1 medium and one well done. Sautéed spinach, they sautéed it only in olive oil, don't bother. Also, had the oysters, 2/5, pretty bland. Gumbo, 3/5, straight out of a can. read more

We had an excellent time here with some equally excellent food! Loved the yellowtail cold dish with some really nice flavor and freshness. The clam chowder was surprisingly creamy and tasty, and was a favorite. The pasta was also extremely tasty and would love to come back if we get the chance! read more

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Great service & food was amazing. Totally a casual place with a fun ambiance & vibe. Definitely coming back when we visit Chicago again. read more

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This is a two-part review: Part 1: My wife and I took a close friend here to celebrate her birthday. We had a delightful evening. Attentive service, excellent food, an outstanding Oregon pinot noir, and a complimentary slice of chocolate cake adorned with a candle. Tab came to nearly $600 and worth every penny of it. Five stars ***** Part 2: My wife left her phone at the restaurant--not the first time--and went back this morning to retrieve it. Phone, driver's license and credit cards were all there. Unfortunately, someone on Shaw's staff had helped them to the roughly $140-160 that was in the phone case. One star* I won't be back. read more

This was an extraordinary, memorable experience. Don't get me wrong, it was not inexpensive, but it was outstanding. We came to Shaw's because several in our group were craving some king crab - I mean, they were FIENDING for some king crab. Came to find out from the staff everything that has happened with overfishing Alaskan king crab, and that Shaw's established relationships with some Norwegian king crab provides. They are unique in that there are strict regulations limiting the size and number of king crabs they can fish, and these are caught by a network of smaller fishing operations. As a result they have a more limited number available each day, but each one is truly epic. We named our crab "Jake" and the fantastic staff expertly prepped him for us tableside so we didn't have to do any heavy lifting. Several diners at nearby tables came over and asked to take pictures. Jake was amazing, and he nearly kicked our butt. All three sides, appetizers, drinks and desserts were excellent. The service was really "old school first-rate". They are next door to Andy's Jazz club so we were able to walk over after dinner and enjoy a really great show while taking advantage of the valet parking at Shaw's. This was the kind of dining experience that reminded me of classic downtown Chicago restaurants from my childhood, decades ago. Really worth the visit. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago to visit my son for the holiday season and he was craving some seafood. What a great pick. Now it was a bit spendy for our budget but after all the amazing food it was totally worth it and a great way to celebrate. It was a pleasant dining experience. Our waitress was amazing and so helpful with her knowledge. Her recommendation for scallops was spot on and one of our favorites. We had an array of foods. Started with some oysters. It was a first for a couple of us and the shaved champagne ice was the talk of the table. We also had oyster shooters which were delicious. Seafood platter. Steak Oscar and a pasta dish were all in our line up. My words to you are just go. Try it once. It will be a top dining experience memory always. read more

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Hugely popular place at holidays . Long wait despite reservations . Food was formulaic, nothing interesting. Service was also routine impersonal. Will look for something smaller downtown that not big hospitality group managed. read more

My wife went to Shaw's on a trip in July. I got the crab cake. It was huge and ALL lump crab meat. No fillers. So delicious. Cold Lobster Tacos as an appetizer. AMAZING. Our host was awesome and there was a great ambience, as we were seated in the oyster bar area. Would definitely recommend read more

Shaw's Crab House - Entrance to Oyster Bar - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We've dine at Shaw before, though this was our first visit to this particular location. We arrived before 5 PM and found both bar areas bustling, but luckily snagged seats at the main bar. The service was attentive, and the drinks were excellent. As for the food, we shared the sashimi. Then my partner had the pan seared walleye, which was bursting with flavor. I went with the sauteed Lake Erie yellow perch, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a rather bland dish. read more

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I went to this restaurant on Saturday May 17th right when I got in town via Amtrak from the Union Station. I took a Lyft ride from the Union Station to Shaw's Crab House. The restaurant is downtown Chicago, very popular local restaurant so I suggest reservations. I didn't have a reservation since I was solo. Walking in the restaurant you'll have go up some stairs, on the left side you'll see the bar which is separate from the actual restaurant. The restaurant is nice you'll see a lot of pictures about the Founders, images of lobsters, the restaurant has, and there's an oysters bar in the center of the restaurant. My Server Gerardo L was very helpful on the menu, very knowledgeable on the oysters, looked professional like the other staff there. I had a lunch special for $38 the lunch special comes with a three course meal including dessert. My first meal was a small bowl of New England Clam Chowder, 2nd meal was fried shrimp alongside fries. The shrimp was thick, juicy, very fulfilling, and oh so delicious, and for dessert I had a small delicious chocolate cake. I ordered a Giuliana sparkling prosecco wine that was so delicious that it paired so well with my meal. I'm definitely going to go back to the restaurant to try the king Alaskan Crab legs. Overall, I had a wonderful experience there, restaurant is over 40yrs old, love Crab House ambiance, and I'll be back! read more

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Tourist here, so happy I added this star to my list. Everything we had - cold seafood, hot seafood, steak, dessert, was outstanding. The crab cake was easily the best we ever had- all crab! The petit filet, so tasty and tender. The raspberry pie??? How??? I was raised by a pie baker, please don't skip this. It was so true to raspberry flavor, more tart than sweet, complex, packed with fruit. And the service was so professional and also warm and welcoming. We sat in the oyster bar area which was perfect for a more casual atmosphere, but still a dressed crowd, very nice for a date with your honey, or to come alone and sit at the counter. Thank you, Shaw's, for a fantastic experience! read more

Shaw's was nearby my hotel so we decided to check them out! It was surprisingly busy for a weekday, so we found bar seating. The clam chowder was one of the best I've ever had at a restaurant! Love that the potatoes weren't mushy. The seafood sampler was delicious. The buttery shrimp and scallops were flavorful and sweet. The crab cake was good, but was my least favorite. The half dozen oysters were fresh and tasty as well. This was my first time having stone crab and it was so good! Super fresh and sweet. Definitely expensive, but worth the try! The overall ambiance was loud/busy/lively. Since we were seated at the bar, service was a bit slow. There was only one main guy responsible for all the bar seating. Definitely try to make a reservation if you can! read more

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My wife and i were promptly seated in the oyster bar area. Fifteen minutes later no bread or waiter so we walked out. Funny thing we walked over to quartinos restaurant were seated, had bread and drink order placed in 5 minutes. read more

Came for a "quick" bite of seafood! Interior is spacious with private party areas as well as bar and general dining. It wasn't too crowded for a weekday lunch so was able to get last minute reservations. Didn't know what to get so ordered the seafood combo with clam chowder and a burger. The $42 combo was small in relation to the size of the platter. Burger was juicy though fries were salty. The chowder was creamy and satisfying. Warm bread and butter provided at table. Be aware 3% surcharge. read more

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First and foremost, there is a reason we make Shaw's our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. Our server, Dominic (sp) was phenomenal answered all are questions and gave us excellent recommendations. We started with SHAW'S SIGNATURE CHOPPED SEAFOOD SALAD, split for two. One word "incredible". My beautiful wife as our server for a clean white fish, he recommended Panko Crusted Alaskan Halibut. Which was spot on for my wife's preference. I ordered the THE SIGNATURE which is 10oz steamed norwegian red king crab legs & twin petite filets and I added the King Crab Oscar enhancement. Both selections were cooked to perfection and delicious. We finished the meal with double espresso's. Being our second trip on Thanksgiving we were also very thankful to have the same excellent serve again this year. read more

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I have been here many times but never posted any photos until now. After a visit to the one of kind show my daughter and I came here for dinner. The oyster bar was packed but luckily we grabbed two seats. The food was delicious. The filet was cooked perfectly as medium rare and the grilled seafoods tasted great. I especially loved the flavor of grilled calamari that had capers in it. Excellent service, as always. read more

Shaw's Crab House - Seafood Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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