New England Seafood Company

There have been a couple of passing mentions of this place in other threads but I don't believe there's a dedicated thread.

Anyway, I've now eaten in and taken stuff home from their retail counter and have been very pleased with both experiences. Eating in, I had their lobster roll and clam chowder for lunch. The chowder was good but the lobster roll is really what you should be eating there. IMO it's the best of the recent contenders in this category, and probably closest to what would please a traditionalist. They're open for lunch and dinner everyday but Monday, and they stay open a bit later on the weekends. They are BYO.

Last night I was on my own for dinner so I picked up a couple of scallop kebabs from the retail counter to throw on the grill. Not inexpensive (it was $23 for 2 skewers after tax), but the scallops were really outstanding and the veggies on the skewer were nice and fresh. They had been pre-seasoned so this was a quick, easy, and healthy dinner that pretty much anyone can make. They also sell a variety of fish (already filleted), lobsters, oysters, and whatever else they happen to get in. The people who work there couldn't be nicer and are happy to engage in a discussion about whatever you're thinking about buying.

New England Seafood Company
3341 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

I've been dying to try their lobster roll, but I have a major mayo aversion/phobia. I wish I could get over it. Do you know if they pre-mix the contents, or if one can get a butter-only version?

It's actually very light on the mayo, so you may be ok regardless. I suspect that they're done to order (rather than pre-mixed), but it couldn't hurt to call and ask.

I have been to this place numerous times now and there is really nothing I do not like about it. I have enjoyed all of the food (I've tried the lobster roll, crab roll, fish and chips, fish sandwich, loster bisque, clam chowder and cioppino). The lobster roll (such a simple presentation - the way it should be) is delicious and both the chowder and cioppino are fantastic. Careful with the cioppino - that typically comes out piping hot. The folks that run the place are fantastic and I find their food, prices and service a nice addition to the neighborhood. For those with kids - I typically bring my one year old daughter (she loves the fish and chips and chowder!!) - they do have two high chairs on premises.

Agree with every word written above and will add that the fry baskets--I've had the oysters, clams and fish 'n chips--are all spectacular. Very generously portioned as well. Mmmm...wishing I was working from home today.

AND they have a crazy AYCE fish 'n chips deal all day on Tues. and Wed. for 10.95 if you are a fan of such things.

boudreaulicious wrote:AND they have a crazy AYCE fish 'n chips deal all day on Tues. and Wed. for 10.95 if you are a fan of such things.

Do you happen to know what kind of fish they make for this? I like that it is in the middle of the week and not on Friday.

I source my Faroe Island salmon from them (gwiv introduced us). Superior product and nice guys.

d4v3 wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:AND they have a crazy AYCE fish 'n chips deal all day on Tues. and Wed. for 10.95 if you are a fan of such things.

Do you happen to know what kind of fish they make for this? I like that it is in the middle of the week and not on Friday.

No idea--would assume cod or haddock but I'm sure a phone call or email to them would provide a more accurate answer.

(773) 871-3474
fishmarket@neseafoodcompany.com

by the way, they are also BYO. Not sure if that was mentioned above.

d4v3 wrote:Do you happen to know what kind of fish they make for this?

Haddock

jesteinf wrote:New England Seafood Company
3341 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657

They have a website at neseafoodcompany.com

Just chiming in that I've enjoyed everything I've eaten at NESC. Time to get back there for the fish and chips.

I tried their cioppino for the first time this weekend and it blew me away. As good as any version I've had in San Francisco. They were also shucking oysters to order this weekend, but I'm not sure that's a regular thing. We had some Cape Bretons that had just arrived. They were extremely well shucked, full of liquor and zero bits of shell.

Unfortunately the place was empty at noon on a Saturday. If you haven't been, or even if you have, please go and support this fabulous establishment.

Prompted by LTH, I stopped by here to pick up some fish to grill. We were in a rush, so I did not have time to stay for a little lunch but all the tables were full on Sunday around 1pm. I grabbed a menu and it looks fantastic for simple preparations of fish and seafood with very reasonable prices. The swordfish that I grilled tonight was fabulous and I believe excellent quality as I just did a quick marinade in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest and rosemary. The fish was nice and moist and very flavorful. I will definitely be back both for the seafood shop and to try their cooking. I plan to give NESC lots more love!

I love this place too. I usually get fish at the counter and have always gotten good advice, friendly service, and (most important) fresh fish-- note that they are also part of Groupon Rewards. Dang, they are closed on Mondays-- my kid owes me a Mother's Day lobster roll!

Cheers, Jen

I have to echo the lobster roll love. Just had my first from New England Seafood Co, and it really did shine. Beautifully cooked chunks of sweet lobster, minimally dressed with just a touch of seasoning on a delicious grill marked bun. It's the closest I've come to a perfect version in the Midwest.

I agree with just about everything already mentioned on this thread and I'm so glad to see NESC getting some LTH love. Top notch place and great folks running it.

We had a tasty lunch here yesterday, the highlight of which was the meaty, buttery lobster roll . . .


Lobster Roll @ New England Seafood Company

=R=

If anyone goes there and can find out where they get their rolls, I would appreciate it.
I am doing my own lobster rolls with the new split top Hawaiian rolls. Not quite authentic, but the wife enjoys them.
Chicago Metallic once was very nice enough to send me the pans for the proper Frankfurter rolls, but I am finding less and less time as well as energy to do them ahead of time.

exvaxman wrote:If anyone goes there and can find out where they get their rolls, I would appreciate it.
I am doing my own lobster rolls with the new split top Hawaiian rolls. Not quite authentic, but the wife enjoys them.
Chicago Metallic once was very nice enough to send me the pans for the proper Frankfurter rolls, but I am finding less and less time as well as energy to do them ahead of time.

I thought I read they get them shipped from somewhere back east. Give them a call - I'm sure they'd share. They may even sell you some.

I did call to ask where they got their rolls just now.
The person on the phone did not know, but my phone number and email address were taken. He was laughing which I consider a good sign. The fact that I am not local to them I hope to get an address. He did say that the rolls were from NE.

The seafood place at the Milwaukee Public Marketplace is EVIL. Not good. I showed up several times and the last time when they started serving lobster rolls the manager was such a nasty (multiple four letter words) that my wife asked me to leave IMMEDIAITLY.
I am sorry - Milwaukee Public Marketplace that dues do inexpensive lobster was such a nasty place that we walked out.

Wow. I always love it when something lives up to the hype, and the lobster roll at NESC actually exceeded it in my mind.

There's not much I can add to what's already been said--I simply can't imagine finding a better lobster roll in Chicago, and I have no inclination to look any further.

Btw, as I noted upthread, I am severely mayo-averse, so I was delighted to learn that they do not include any mayo at all in the lobster mix--they merely spread a little bit on the bun (which I obviously forewent). The extremely warm and friendly woman who served us(perhaps the owner?) was extremely accommodating and patient with my need to have her re-confirm that there was NO mayo. When she replied, "why would we want to ruin the lobster meat like that?" I knew we were in business.

The lobster meat was sweet, succulent and abundant, with just the right amount of butter to accentuate rather than dominate the meat. As has been said, the buns are also top-notch, and I also really enjoyed the homemade chips.

We'll be back!!

Here's the entirety of our Friday lunch . . .


New England Seafood Company -- 3341 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago



New England Clam Chowder
Even though it was effing hot out, I thought this chowder was really good. It had a generous amount of clam meat that was not overcooked. The broth was thick but not overly so. If it was this satisfying on a 100 degree day, I can only imagine how well it would hit the spot on a cooler, fall or winter day.



Homemade Chips
I loved the crispiness of these chips -- and they look absolutely beautiful -- but there was a bitter finish, which kept them pretty much uneaten by the 4 of us. In the foreground is some potato salad, which was very tasty.



Pan Seared Crab Cakes
I thought these were okay but I prefer a thicker, less mixed crab cake. I loved the lemony sauce and the grilled vegetables, which I thought were cooked just perfectly.



Fisherman’s Platter - Haddock, Shrimp, Scallops and Clams
Everything here was very tasty, with the stand-outs being the haddock and the scallops. I really enjoyed the haddock, which was crispy on the outside, and moist and flaky in the inside. The thick, tender, meaty scallops were also cooked very nicely and were aggressively seasoned (not spicy) in a way that enhanced them without overpowering. The shrimp and clams were fine but didn't resonate in quite the same way for me as the other 2 items did. And btw, the fries were excellent, especially when dipped in the tartar sauce.



Lobster Roll (again)
For me, this was the clear highlight of our lunch. As others have posted, it's chock full of tender-sweet lobster meat, very light on the mayo and stuffed into a nicely-grilled, buttery bun. Even at $16, I wouldn't hesitate to order this again.

I'm really grateful to have learned about this place here. If not for LTH, I would have never known about it. Now, I've got another place in a neighborhood I don't know particularly well on which I can safely rely for a solid meal . . . and that lobster roll is a truly a destination dish.

=R=

Finally made it tonight. Clam chowder and lobster bisque were good. A little light on flavor IMO, but perfectly fine fish house renditions that would be right at home anywhere from Gloucester to Hatteras.

Lobster roll was tasty. Nicely cooked meat, plenty of butter, but served on an ice cold roll with grill marks on the outside. I sent the roll back to get properly warmed up and then enjoyed the sandwich a lot. Much better than a recent meal at GT Fish. (They had a moderate amount of business tonight, and what appeared to be a one man kitchen might have been taking a few short cuts.)

Chips, I agree didn't have much flavor.

I was pleased to get a fry basket comprised of whole belly clams rather than clam strips, but too heavy breading as well as over seasoning led me to disappointment.

Overall pretty good, but I'm a tough customer, having spent my first 30 years enjoying seafood in Norfolk, DC and Baltimore.

I'd be interested to hear seafood maven Steve Z's comments here.

Check Please was shooting B roll there at lunch today.

I bought some really plump, sweet scallops there today:



Cooked according to a Fine Cooking recipe:
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/sea- ... sauce.aspx

I love NESC-- need to get there for a lobster roll.

Cheers, Jen

I finally made it there for the lobster roll - it was amazing.

Sorry for the late notice, but I just noticed that NESC will be on tonight's episode of the Check Please program on WTTW. It airs at 8pm.

Wow--one of the best Check Please outings I've ever seen--the guy who recommended it was actually the LEAST effusive of the 3! Congrats to NESC!

Friggin amazeballs