I had the smelt at the Parthenon in Greektown the other day. Tough and tasteless. I think maybe they'd been sitting under a heat lamp waiting for the rest of the table's order to get done (somehow the 20 minute red snapper took 50). I took most of them home anyway and reheated in a cast iron skillet with some Sichaun peppercorns and some cajun seasoning but they still didn't come 10% of the way up to the smelt at Market Creations.

I had some pristinely fresh and perfectly fried smelt last week at Boston Fish Market. These were far and away the best fried smelt I've had in many years. They source them from Lake Erie right now. My only regret was that I didn't have my camera with me. Smelt lovers: get there before they're gone!

P.S. The same goes for yellow lake perch as well, which they are presently sourcing from Manitoba.

Boston Fish Market
1225 E. Forest Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 296-1111

stevez wrote:I had some pristinely fresh and perfectly fried smelt last week at Boston Fish Market. These were far and away the best fried smelt I've had in many years. They source them from Lake Erie right now. My only regret was that I didn't have my camera with me. Smelt lovers: get there before they're gone!

P.S. The same goes for yellow lake perch as well, which they are presently sourcing from Manitoba.

Boston Fish Market
1225 E. Forest Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 296-1111

Was going to just post about this same place! I stopped in today for an after lunch snack and the fried smelt are indeed some of the best I've had.

Okay, okay, you're making me hungry. I don't see anything on their website about their hours, though Yelp says they close at 5. Anyone know?

jvalentino wrote:

stevez wrote:I had some pristinely fresh and perfectly fried smelt last week at Boston Fish Market. These were far and away the best fried smelt I've had in many years. They source them from Lake Erie right now. My only regret was that I didn't have my camera with me. Smelt lovers: get there before they're gone!

P.S. The same goes for yellow lake perch as well, which they are presently sourcing from Manitoba.

Boston Fish Market
1225 E. Forest Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 296-1111

Was going to just post about this same place! I stopped in today for an after lunch snack and the fried smelt are indeed some of the best I've had.

Ann Fisher wrote:Okay, okay, you're making me hungry. I don't see anything on their website about their hours, though Yelp says they close at 5. Anyone know?

jvalentino wrote:

stevez wrote:I had some pristinely fresh and perfectly fried smelt last week at Boston Fish Market. These were far and away the best fried smelt I've had in many years. They source them from Lake Erie right now. My only regret was that I didn't have my camera with me. Smelt lovers: get there before they're gone!

P.S. The same goes for yellow lake perch as well, which they are presently sourcing from Manitoba.

Boston Fish Market
1225 E. Forest Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 296-1111

Was going to just post about this same place! I stopped in today for an after lunch snack and the fried smelt are indeed some of the best I've had.

They close at 5:00 every day and are closed on Sunday.

Just finished some fried smelt at Lula...served with a passion fruit panzanella. My first trip to Lula...I'm not sure why.

The smelts @ Boston C-food were prime examples. Had we stopped there I'd have been happy. The perch that followed was even better, as was the octopus. Exciting find.

Well, I went to Market Creations in the Prudential Building today and. . .no Smelt. So I guess I did miss the Smelt window. They said next week they'll have Smelt for sure.

bw77 wrote:Well, I went to Market Creations in the Prudential Building today and. . .no Smelt. So I guess I did miss the Smelt window. They said next week they'll have Smelt for sure.

I'm delighted that someone else is asking for them. I knew they didn't have them today, because I check their menu before I head out. I hope you at least had the sweet chili sole, which is also delicious (as are all their sole dishes).

It's great that we have the promise of smelt at Market Creations next Tuesday. I've created an event. Hope some others can join me!

I'm gonna try.

I made the trip to Des Plaines for the Boston Seafood Co smelt and yellow perch this weekend. The perch was terrific. The smelt were fine--very fresh, lightly battered, perfectly cooked. But a little boring. I like Market Creations S & P smelt better.

Autre Monde in Berwyn had some stellar fried smelts with mint and charred lemon last week as part of their Passover menu. I may clamor for a regular seasonal addition since they clearly have a great ingredient pipeline.

Caputo's in Naperville had a nice supply of fresh smelt in their seafood section this past weekend.

Had smelt at Calumet Fisheries. A little overly battered for my taste, but the nostalgia of eating on the hood of my car made them pretty darn enjoyable. As was the smoked garlic and pepper salmon and smoked shrimp.

Salt and Pepper Smelt is on the menu today at Market Creations in the Pru if anyone is having a craving.

Actually, I was finally able to get over to the Prudential Bldg. today and I have some in front of me right now. The smelt is very good and well seasoned. My guess is that it is even better and a bit crunchier if you arrive early. I think mine had been on the steam table for a while, but even so, worth the walk over for me. Thanks.

Wings are good too.

Just for future reference (though there hasn't been smelt the last couple of weeks). The steam table trays get refilled frequently. If the tray is getting low, just hang around for a few minutes and it's sure to be filled up. That, of course, is the time to make the grab!

The chef at the Prudential Market Creations is now working weekends at a new family-run Asian buffet in Wood Dale. Fusions, in the Georgetown Square mall. He said that it's much of the same Asian food that he prepares at the Prudential building "but with better technique." I normally avoid buffets in general, and Asian buffets in particular, but might make an exception for Tai. Very nice Yelp review, stressing the Vietnamese items (Tai is Vietnamese) here.

I noticed Tavern on the Park, also in the Pru, is featuring smelts on their appetizer menu. Haven't tried them yet, but they are on offer.

Pete's Fresh market in Oak Park has fried smelt at the hot-bar.
I'm not vouching for the quality but if you dare, they're there.

66th Annual Port Washington (Wi) Legion Smelt Fry on April 21 and 22. Times both days are 4:30 to 9:00. Good stuff.

Is smelt season coming early this year?