Armitage Shrimp House

This odd storefront has been closed most of the past few years I've lived in the area. Fairly recently it reopened with a new awning, and stenciled "SMELTS" and "SCALLOPS" signs on the window, I was intrigued enough to head in.

Very austere setup, vague smells of seafood and a menu including Jumbo Shrimp, Regular Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops, Smelts and Catfish. I asked if they had smelts, which they did, so I ordered a half-pound. Also orderd a pound of regular shrimp.

The batter was thick and nicely seasoned. The shrimp were okay - probably frozen and didn't have much flavor to offer after biting into the thick batter. Better than deep-fried shrimp from a bar, but certainly not special. The smelts were better - tasty little suckers in the same dense batter. It came with a cocktail sauce and some hot sauce, to which I added horseradish for my smelts.

Other than burning the roof of my mouth on the ride home, not a bad little place for the neighborhood. I'll be back to try some of the other options. They also deliver

Armitage Shrimp House
3054 W Armitage

Thanks! I too have wondered about this place for the last couple years, maybe I'll stop in soon for a smelt fix.

So, as of last Friday the future wife and I now call the Armitage/Kedzie area home. Noticed the Armitage Shrimp House and am curious if it is worth trying. Anyone been more recently than 2004?
Jamie

i have ordered takeout from there a few times in the last 6 months, (a quick walk from home) and found it to be very mediocre. i've tried the shrimp, jumbo shrimp, scallops, frog legs and french fries. everything is still probably from frozen, but at least battered and fried to order, so it takes a couple minutes. the frog legs (tough) and fries(soggy, and flavorless) are worth skipping, as well as the regular size shrimp (poor batter to meat ratio) but the jumbo shrimp were tasty enough. make sure you have cocktail sauce at home, they have some generic spiceless kind in house, and not enough of it at that. i can't comment on the value, as i don't remember but i also don't think i felt ripped off. they deliver too, although i haven't ever. Good Luck!