Fried fish doesn't get any better than the FISH KEG!!! I've been eating at the Fish Keg since my parents used to order from there back in the 1970s when their used to be a nightclub next door called Frankenstein's. I don't know if the recipe for the batter at the Fish Keg is a family recipe or just someone that knows how to make fish taste awesome, but I promise that you won't be disappointed when you eat there. There is no indoor seating - this is simply a pick-up and go kind of food place, but I promised you won't be disappointed. The Fish Keg is also open late, however, I recommend using caution in this neighborhood after the sun goes down unless you're familiar with your surroundings. So yes, to quote another Yelp review "Grab your bullet-proof vest, and head down to the FISH KEG!" read more

If I had my way I would eat at Fish Keg on a daily basis. I would weigh 300 pds. but that wouldn't be part of the fantasy. What can be said- the place is a Chicago institution. They've been around for over 50 years in the same location serving fried shrimp, fish, salmon, fresh season catch, fries, etc. Their tarter and cocktails sauces are also home made. I can go on and on and rave about how tasty their fried shrimp are, or how the batter is a life long secret but that still would not translate the taste. Trust me- I've eaten fried fish/shrimp in New Orleans, S.F. and the East Coast and this is up there in flavor and freshness. Certainly, one of the best places to get this type of food in Chicago. Now- don't expect to get Long Johns Silvers prices- the place is not cheap but fresh fish/ingredients are more expensive so the prices reflex that. It's reasonable but you will have to take it to go as there is no place to sit down. No worries you will wolf it down in you car the way I do. read more

Fresh fried seafood at amazing prices???? HECK YES!!! Been here 5-6 times now . This place is fast and delicious. Makes my mouth water when I think about it. FRESH seafood and they always have a special going on. If you think about it, you get a lot of seafood for the price you pay. For around $20, you got enough fried seafood for two. People are always coming here and while there's really no seating, it is always an enjoyable experience to just sit outside and eat straight out of the paper bags. read more

simply awesome! not being able to get my fish fry fix cuz JJ fish is a hard place to get to, i discovered this lil jem on the outskirts of Evanson, he fish is fresh and awesomely seasoned, it is never greasy and the hot sauce is an awesome compliment. I may even say( do i dare??) that this is a better place than JJ. read more

I love this place. I grew up on Great Lakes perch, and the Fish Keg always has excellent lake perch. Good selection of seafood and side dishes to go with it. My fave is the bean salad. Also, have excellent condiment selection to flavor the seafood. read more

Skimps is delicous, as is their chicken in a bag. I don't recommend it on a regular basis unless you want to make some heart surgeon rich in the coming years! Their fried oysters are fresh and very tasty in their homemade batter! read more

My girlfriend kept telling me how great the fish chips were at The Fish Keg. Finally, I tried them last night. They were phenomenal. They were the best fish chips I ever tasted! I will be back for more! read more

I have been enjoying the food at the Keg since they opened, Yes a 40 + year customer, but the prices have reached a point that I rarely make the stop. If price is no object, your in for a treat. read more

The fish Keg is a Chicago mainstay that is located in a very small storefront on Howard between ridge and western. It has great neon signage in front with a whimsical keg and fish on it. The restaurant itself is a south side style fry joint. All orders are made fresh to go, since there is no seating anywhere in the place. You choose from a variety of meats mainly fish and poultry, all at market prices, and they fry it up fresh for you. Also includes a variety of sides, potato salad, cole slaw (vinegar or mayo based), hush puppies. I usually get a half pound of fried shrimp with a small container of homemade cocktail sauce (to die for!) and a side of vinegar based cole slaw. They do have a variety of deserts but I am fairly sure that they are not homemade. It is out of the way but always well worth the trip when you have a craving for breaded deep fried fish. Not health food by any means but a good experience all around. read more

This place makes Calumet Fisheries look posh! I came here on my way home from work because I was hit with an incredible urge to eat fried things. I was very surprised with how small the place is, but they pack a lot into that little space. They have their fresh fish on display along with their homemade/hand breaded delights. I am not much of a cooked fish eater, so I went with Jumbo Wings and fries. The taste was what you'd expect for fried food in a small place that likely uses the same cooking oil for everything, but the quality of the food was above average. The wings were very meaty and went great with the hot sauce. The service was good, and they have their own parking lot. If it were on my order alone, I wouldn't have rated it so high, but I give 'em kudos for having a big selection of fresh fish and for being very customer friendly. You can order anything they don't have and they'll get it in, sometimes within 24 hours. read more

Wanted to like the fish keg, however they nickel and dime you to death. As soon as you look past the counter they have signs with the prices of ketchup, bbq, and tarter sauce. Mind you that it's not cheap. 3 small pieces of wall eye fish at $14.99/lb and 3 wingettes at $8.99/lb cost me $14.37. It's weighed on a scale that you can't see, because they don't want you to see that despite the outrageous prices that they are ripping you off. It's been a staple in the african american community, but let me tell you, they have plenty of white people working there, however 1 black person. The food sucked. The wings aren't fresh and the fish taste like Gordon fish sticks. Few suggestions for the owner: put the scale on the counter for the customers to see what the are being charged, stop charging for tarter sauce if people order fish, hire more African Americans, put the register on the counter so we can see what we are being charged for, read up some consumer service laws. read more

So good and with great prices. I can't get this all the time because the best food here is fried. The shrimp is great and the potato salad is a must. This place always fits my cravings for good fried fish to perfection. read more

I was excited to try this place due to the reviews that i was reading on yelp and i was very disappointed. I ordered the fried shrimp, catfish nuggets, and the fried chicken. All i can say is, what a waste. The chicken tasted like it was re-fried in the grease and was hard and dried out. It also was flavorless. The shrimp tasted a lot like Lawrence's fisheries recipe for their fried shrimp and looked like it as well. As for the catfish nuggets, they were ok, not great. The batter was too thick on all of the food and just didnt taste good at all. Not only that, you have to pay for tarter sauce and cocktail sauce, how cheap, it should come with your order free of charge. People who gave this place rave reviews and more than 2 stars definitely havent tasted what true and good fried seafood tastes like, but hey, its the north side, so what do you expect? Try Trohas, tastes much better. I know i will not be returning to this place, ever! read more

best fried seafood ever! maybe it's the breading or the seasoning, but whatever it is it's magic! we ordered catfish, oysters, shrimps, perch, salmon, etc, and everything was perfectly fried and crispy, while juicy inside. read more

I've been going to The Fish Keg for at least 50 years. Tonite was my last time. The fried clams were so greasy that they SOAKED through a waxed & paper bag inside a larger paper bag. They had so much breading that I couldn't find the clams inside and they were tasteless. The fried shrimp - our 50 year favorite - were so over cooked that we joked about breaking our teeth on them. How sad for such a longtime, neighborhood institution! read more

The place has been here forever, great seafood, anything you can desire and the fried chicken can't be beat.

I'm giving up on the Fish Keg. We've been coming for years but I'm done. Just spent $80 on food(clams, scallops, shrimp) and all of it was overcooked. I made the mistake of leaving without looking at it first. Big disappointment and waste of money! read more

Best fried shrimp I've ever had. Really awesome Canadian perch. Fries and hush puppies are delicious! Tried it out after buying a groupon, service was as good as it gets. GO! read more

I have always had a good experience at Fish Keg. The owners and staff are very nice and the products they sell are tops.

Freshly fried fish ... go here for that! Hush puppies as well. Vinegar cole slaw instead of creamy was good. Cajun catfish and walleye were good, clam strips so-so. read more

i tried there fish-n-chips and catfish,it was ok,honestly goose island shrimp is better,but this place is ok if you're in the neighborhood,i personally won't make any special trip,they do have parking and a really friendly staff so i did appreciate that. read more

Absolutely delicious (fried) fish! Husband's family has been going to this place over 30 years, but today was my first time. Fish chips, Cajun style fish, walleye and perch were fantastic! Loved the cornmeal breading! The vinegar/oil (V.O.) coleslaw was yummy and vinegary. Everything was superb!! read more

Old time favorite fried fish place. Easy in and out and prices are fair . Food is greasy but what do you expect for deep fried. ITs old fashioned but GREAT . And you can find odd food . And they are open late. Always a favorite for many to pop in late night do get a bit to eat. read more

excellent fried chips, fried chicken and really fresh seafood. bought some fresh salmon,shrimp, and rainbow trout. used by groupon and they were very courteous. we used to buy here 40 yrs ago. everything still tastes great! read more

I've driven past the Fish Keg almost daily for five years and today was the first time I've stopped, sure glad I did. This was my first time here and I was more than happy with the service. As I entered one server was taking another customers order and I was immediately greeted by another server with a big smile who asked how he could help. He was super patient while I perused the menu and made sure to clarify my order. I ordered 1/4 lb of shrimp, 1/4 lb of fish chips, 1/4 lb of hush puppies, sm creamy cole slaw, med potato salad, and both tartar & cocktail sauces. My food was prepared right in front of me in about seven minutes for under $14.00! Everything I ordered was fresh, tasty, and perfectly presented in separate bags that kept it hot and crispy until I arrived home. The fish chips, shrimp, and hush puppies were perfect in every way and both the cole slaw and potato salad were excellent! I can't wait to visit again to try the Cajun catfish that everyone was ordering while I waited. read more

Delicious there isn't anything like this around this area and it just spices things up quick and easy you're in and out plus they have outside tables were you can enjoy you're freshly fried seafood read more

One of the best Fried Fish placed on the morthside -Always hot and Alway good - Open late - Love it!

I can't find anything like this place in Ohio!! I have to find my way to Howard Street every time I am in Chicago. For me it's the oysters. I like oysters prepared any old way. These are deep fried with the perfect amount of breading. Not greasy. I have tried just about everything on the menu. I'll get 1/2 lb oysters,1/4 lb of shrimp and maybe clams or fish to round out my pound. All served in a paper bag to go. I wish I had access to a kitchen when I travel,because they also sell everything fresh and even suggest a recipe. Not everything is fried. They have a selection of baked dinners. And don't worry if you don't like seafood, Enjoy the chicken! What I don't like is paying extra for condiments because Fish Keg is a little pricey anyway. It won't stop me from going back though. read more

good fried chicken, excellent fried fish, they are the only people I can find who have Arizona Diet Lemon Tea in a can, and they even have a few healthy fish options. read more

best fried shrimp and perch in the chicagoland area - nuff said, go there!