On our return trip from Wisconsin this past Sunday, we stopped at Captain Porky's for sustenance to make the last bit of the drive home. Half pound fried shrimp dinner for me with coleslaw and garlic potatoes; lobster po' boy and fries for Mr. X. This was my second stop at Captain Porky's in the last couple of weeks and the shrimp really is great. The garlic potatoes were delicious as well. Although Mr. X was not expecting a lobster salad po' boy, he declared it very good. It wasn't until we had our food that I heard the special of the day: braised lamb from their farm. Next time...

I've driven by this place 100 times on my way up to Wisconsin, but never thought to stop because we always stopped for dinner at Big Ed's instead. Now that Big Ed's is closed down this place looks like a great replacement. Definitely gonna give it a try next trip up.

One question, is the bbq any good? My mom said she had the pulled pork from Captain Porkys when she ate at the restaurant connected to CPs (if that makes any sense) and she said it was nothing special.

As a big fan of the former Big Ed's in North Chicago and Captain Porky's as well, I found the BBQ at Captain Porky's to be "OK", but not nearly as good as Big Ed's. I suggest staying with the seafood, which has always been excellent on our visits. We ordered BBQ (tips and ribs) once and have not ordered it again. Also, try the garlic potatoes, they are really good.

saluki68 wrote:As a big fan of the former Big Ed's in North Chicago and Captain Porky's as well, I found the BBQ at Captain Porky's to be "OK", but not nearly as good as Big Ed's. I suggest staying with the seafood, which has always been excellent on our visits. We ordered BBQ (tips and ribs) once and have not ordered it again. Also, try the garlic potatoes, they are really good.

cool, thanks. Definitely gonna heed that advice when I go.



btw, how upset are you about Big Ed's closing down? I had no idea it was happening till we showed up before Memorial day and they told us the next day was their last day in biz. I just stood there with my mouth open in disbelief. What a travesty!

I will say that my son requests me to get a take out of the rib tips at Porky's every time I go there. Dry with the spicy sauce on the side.

Of Porky's bbq, I'm fond of the hot links. A little dry sometimes, but flavor and smoke are good. The combo of links and jumbo shrimp is my go-to.

And if you like the garlic potatoes, the greens have even more garlic.

Got my usual order of the jumbo Cajun fried shrimp the other day. The shrimp were undercooked. Translucent flabby texture with no flavor. No reason to make the drive any more, what with Big Ed's gone too. Oh well.

Shakes,

Big Ed's was our "go to" place for BBQ and we are very unhappy about the closing. We have not been to his Waukegan location where, based on our calls, he only has baby backs so far.

I'm hoping imsscott's recent undercooked shrimp experience was an off day. Losing Ed's was bad enough. Losing the Captain too would be another huge loss for us north/northwest suburbanites.

Finally, we got out to try Captain Porky's shrimp. Pretty heavy crust, maybe just a bit underseasoned, shrimp were nicely cooked the way I like 'em...a little translucent in the center. Growing up around Chesapeake Bay seafood shacks, I'm happier with just a light dredging in flour/cracker meal/or cornmeal than a full blown breaded item.

But the odd thing is that the shrimp were relatively tasteless. Devoid of shrimp flavor.

Fried onion rings and eggplant were very nicely cooked and tasty, but again, much heavier breading than say...Greek Islands' lacy thin fried eggplant/zuchinni batter.

Enjoyable...might consider stopping again if in the 'hood. But not that impressed.

Twin Son A and I stopped at the Captains for a late lunch this past weekend.
(He was in need of driving practice, so it was an especially good choice)
had a "snack" of 1/2 lb fried jumbo shrimp with steak fries and slaw and cornbread.
I had a lobster salad po-boy with garlic potatoes and a frosty libation-
yum yum - not too far from an east coast lobster roll (except the wrong kind of bread)
the bread was good- just not the authentic top slit hot dog bun thing...
Everything looked amazing in the seafood case.
and I can't wait to go back and try more.

I didn't try anything from the BBQ case-
I'm kind of BBQ spoiled since when I make it,
I take it off the smoker at the moment of perfection.

My wife and I had lunch at Captain Porky's yesterday and were really blown away. They were doing a special braised lamb (with lamb from their farm) that was incredibly tender and flavorful, and topped with grated sheep's milk cheese ("from the baby's momma," as it was described). We also had a mixed box of fried clam strips and perch. Porky's really shined with the sides, though: garlic potatoes, cornbread, and a spectacular black-eyed-pea and cabbage braise.

It is with great sadness that I report that Dino's mother Nota Kallianis passed away April 12, 2013. Services have been held.

More info: http://www.legacy.com/ns/obitfinder/obi ... liateid=-1

Or: marshfuneralhome.com

We made our maiden voyage to Captain Porky's Saturday night and we can't wait to get back. Loved everything we ordered! My wife was craving crab legs and they were predictably excellent. I ordered a combo of BBQ brisket and fried shrimp and both were spot on. The shrimp were prepared perfectly and delectable. The brisket had a really nice smokiness and the cherry spicy sauce on the side really brought out the flavor. Daughter got the friend blue gills and I wish we had gone with 1 lb, rather than 1/2 they were that good. With a frosty Daisy Cutter on the side, it was perfection. Can't wait to get back and explore more of the menu.

Seems quiet on this thread...

Mr. X and I had a late lunch at Captain Porky's on Saturday after picking up a case of peaches in Gurnee. Half pound of fried shrimp, garlic potatoes, coleslaw for me; shrimp étouffée for him. We happily devoured everything. Place was hopping at 3:00 in the afternoon. Dino's daughter recognized us from the GNR dinner (and irregular visits since). We sat with a couple from Racine on their maiden voyage to Captain Porky's. He had a variety of fried items; she had barbecue. Both seemed satisfied. Dino and his crew are still putting out great stuff.

Happy to report that Captain Porky's is still hitting the sweet spot for me. I brought home a bbq combo (chicken and pulled pork) with garlic potatoes and greens for Mr. X. I ate a half pound of shrimp in the car. (Shh, don't tell Mr. X!) I didn't get to try the pork, but enjoyed the chicken for lunch today. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and had flavor.

As Dickey Betts says, rolling my way down Highway 41, just across the WI / IL border to Wadsworth after the smashing get-together last Saturday at Wells Bros. in Racine, for lunch today I met LTH North Lunch group stalwart EddieK and friend Tim for my maiden voyage to the Capt's.

Not much to look at--a fish market and a few long picnic tables in a knotty pine atmosphere--but it didn't matter. Before me was a combo platter of (Eddie-recommended) jumbo fried shrimp, lightly battered & fried blue gill, with halved garlic red potatoes and greens that were more Greek-style than Southern. And a hunk of cornbread.

Hands down, the top shrimp since my old Fish Keg days, and the small blue gill fillets had none of the slightly-metallic taste that I had been used to in the past, just light, tender & utterly wonderful. There was a special--braised lamb with cauliflower in a Greek tomato sauce that looked outstanding, but that will have to be for another day. My lunch was devoured before I could snap a pic or two. The vibe at Capt's kind of reminds me of GNR Boston Fish Market in Des Plaines before it went Hollywood.

These two northernmost GNR's--Wells Bros. & Captain Porky's--aren't exactly high-porch dining, but are stellar in quality and preparation, most definitely worth the drive.

At today's stellar LTH North Lunch Group, I learned that both Captain Porky's and The Shanty are both expanding their buildings to the east. The Mobil gas station that was next door to CP has been torn down and will become a parking lot. Construction is expected to take about a year.

Had a good lunch here last Friday. I had pulled pork, hot links, onion rings, and greens. I got the Q with their spicy sauce. I really enjoyed everything except the onion rings.

This is my first time for the rings. The breading was crumbling off and not covering the ring. They were oily and I did not like them.

I picked up some cocktail shrimp and lobster salad to go. I enjoyed them over the weekend. I always stop here when returning from Wisconsin.

D.