Need fresh Oysters for Stew. NW Burbs

Looking for a tub or other container (12 oz. or so) for oyster stew. Buying 50 oysters in the shell and faced with the prospect of shucking them won't do wonders for my wrists, and can get expensive. I used to see tubs of reasonably fresh oysters in their liquor in the Northeast. Saveur had a nice recipe for such a stew in their last issue.
Thanks for any leads.

Pete

Pete, I am thinking that this is the Saveur recipe that caught your eye? What a great idea! Thanks for the inspiration.

Sam's Clubs regularly have plastic tub containers of nice, clean, middle-of-the-road (not gourmet, not too expensive) oysters. Here is a store locator for a Sam's Club in the NW burbs.

I'll bet that Costco has similar oysters but I have not specifically seen them there.

--Joy

Joy,
Called Sams and got nixed. No oysters.
You nailed it though, the recipe you posted is the one. Looks easy to prepare, all ingredients (sans oysters) a snap to find. Thanks for the reply.
Pete

Not sure what is considered NW but

I have passed this place a few times, you might try giving them a call

Captain Alex Seafood
8874 N Milwaukee Ave
Niles, IL 60714

(847) 803-8833‎

Joy wrote:I'll bet that Costco has similar oysters but I have not specifically seen them there.
--Joy

Unfortunately, never...

You could try Meijer
1301 Meijer Drive
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-4205
(847) 690-1500

Here's the rundown:

Captain Alex: "Try us around Thanksgiving."
International Market Golf & Milwaukee: Nada, but they really tried. Nice help. (Got a great deal on skirt steak 2.99 lb.)
Sun View Market on Golf Road: "What is Oyster? ??"
Meijer: "Sure c'mon in. We have 8 oz. tubs. Fresh ones in the shell in a bag will be in Tuesday." We like Meijers. Whee!

Thanks to all.
Pete

cowguy wrote:Meijer: "Sure c'mon in. We have 8 oz. tubs. Fresh ones in the shell in a bag will be in Tuesday." We like Meijers. Whee!

In terms of quality and supply, you just really cannot beat Meijers. Not only is there quality but they generally have a seafood manager who can talk intelligently about the product.

Just in case anyone is still looking for tubs of shucked oysters, the Sam's Club in Evanston had them yesterday.

These are 1-pint containers of Hilton brand Willapoint oysters. They are Pacific oysters from Washington state.

One pint is $6.88. A case price is available.

The tubs are located in an open-top cooler along with tubs of crabmeat and plastic-wrapped slabs of raw Atlantic salmon. Enjoy! --Joy

Sam's Club #6444
2450 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
(847)491-9000

Meijer had shucked oysters (large-sized) for $7.99/lb, as well as small Willapoint oysters 8oz for $4.99

I must say. . .
Picked up the 18 oz. container of oysters from a local Sams earlier in the week.
Last night, I made the Saveur oyster stew. Very French, very good. AAMOF, excellent. Definately will make again.
If you want 4 star dining in your home, this is an easy way to kick it up. The recipe was right on; I used the container in its entirety, but scaled the servings on the rest of the ingredients from 6 to 4.
Thanks for all your help in locating oysters. If you decide to also make it, it is well worth it. Not alot of fussing. Fabulous seafood flavor; and it makes the place smell awesome.

Realize this is an old post but WalMart now has the Hilton WilaPointa oysters as does Winn-Dixie. I generally buy a 1/2 pint or two per week or a full pint at WalMart. I can not believe how huge the "extra small" oysters are. These are not canned or smoked (hate em) oysters, These are fresh shucked in their liquor and are delicious. I manage to eat a few raw (or sometimes all of them...LOL) before frying them, making a stew/soup, casserole. I love them and are they ever tasty. Don't have to worry about months with an "R". these are Washington state oysters. Cold water and water monitored for bacteria daily.

Price is great too. You would have to buy and shuck a lot of oysters at premium prices to match what you get at WilaPoint prices.

Cheers

sandman0011 wrote:Realize this is an old post but WalMart now has the Hilton WilaPointa oysters as does Winn-Dixie. I generally buy a 1/2 pint or two per week or a full pint at WalMart. I can not believe how huge the "extra small" oysters are. These are not canned or smoked (hate em) oysters, These are fresh shucked in their liquor and are delicious. I manage to eat a few raw (or sometimes all of them...LOL) before frying them, making a stew/soup, casserole. I love them and are they ever tasty. Don't have to worry about months with an "R". these are Washington state oysters. Cold water and water monitored for bacteria daily.

Price is great too. You would have to buy and shuck a lot of oysters at premium prices to match what you get at WilaPoint prices.

Cheers

Winn-Dixie? There are Winn-Dixies in the NW suburbs??

Sandman0011, thanks for the uptick on WalMart's oysters.
Pete

Anyone have a good source for shucked oysters by the pint (or other size) in the city? Need some for a seafood gumbo.

How about GNR Boston Fish Market in Des Plaines?

Boston Fish Market
1225 Forest Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-2100

Try Dirk's

2070 North Clybourn Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 404-3475
http://www.dirksfish.com/

Thanks, both. Will probably check Dirks (will likely be a bit more on the expensive side, although always top-notch product). Des Plaines is probably a bit further of a than I care to make this weekend from where I am in light of being tied up most of the weekend shuttling kids to activities and running errands, but have been meaning to make it out to BFM.

New England Seafood probably has them--might want to call first to make sure and check the price.

Thanks, boudreaulicious. My kids have basketball up at the Lakeview YMCA tomorrow, so that may be the best bet.

I am confused. Where in the northwest suburbs are you that Dirk's on Clybourn is closer than Boston Fish Market in Des Plaines?

Oh wait, now I see -- you asked about in the city. I was going by the thread title.

Matt wrote:Thanks, boudreaulicious. My kids have basketball up at the Lakeview YMCA tomorrow, so that may be the best bet.

Even if they don't have what you need, get some of the Faroe Island salmon--my SO and I are positively addicted.

Matt wrote:Thanks, boudreaulicious. My kids have basketball up at the Lakeview YMCA tomorrow, so that may be the best bet.

Call ahead (today) and they will order them in for you, in case they are not in stock.

My family traditionally makes an oyster casserole for Thanksgiving and Christmas using pints of shucked oysters. For the last decade or so, my Mom has complained that the oysters are ridiculously large -- you may only get four or five in a pint -- and she has a strong preference for smaller oysters. I have no problem cutting large oysters into bite-sized pieces before cooking, but that doesn't fly with Mom. Short of buying oysters in the shell and shucking them ourselves, does anyone have any suggestions for shucked oysters that are on the smaller side? I'd love to surprise her next time she's in town.

(She lives in NJ near Point Pleasant. If anyone has any Garden State suggestions, I'd welcome those, too!)