3 lb. red snapper

So yesterday I was all set to cook up a red snapper a la Veracruzana (by way of Diana Kennedy). Kennedy emphasizes that a good full-sized 3 lb. red snapper should be used. I went to Cermak Produce on Kedzie and Tony's Finer Foods on Elston, and at both places they only had fish in the 1 lb. range. I drove by the Fish Guy on the way home, but he's closed on Sunday.

Anyone know where you can reliably pick up a three pounder, or do I need to call a fishmonger and have them hold one for me or call me when one comes in?

Thanks,

Aaron

I'm sure if you call ahead to Dirk's, he'll either have one or will be happy to get one for you.

Aaron,

I'm pretty sure I've seen good-sized snapper at Supreme Lobster (http://www.supremelobster.com/) on North Avenue in Villa Park. I realize that's kind of a ride for you, but if you're going that far west, you might as well stop at Johnnie's on the way, and after Supreme, go a few blocks west and pick up an orchid for Kate at Hausermann's (http://www.orchidsbyhausermann.com/), the orchid mecca of the Midwest (I was there last week and given the warmth of September, there are lots on sale in the $10-12 range).

Hammond

PS. Supreme website offers a 10% discount coupon

stevez wrote:I'm sure if you call ahead to Dirk's, he'll either have one or will be happy to get one for you.

Yeah, I had considered this--in fact, Kennedy recommends it in the book, saying they're hard to come by on a spontaneous stop at the fish counter. But so many things that were hard to come by 30 years when her book was published are easily and readily available now. I'd love to locate a neighborhood fish counter that regularly had the big guys in stock.

David Hammond wrote:I'm pretty sure I've seen good-sized snapper at Supreme Lobster (http://www.supremelobster.com/) on North Avenue in Villa Park.

Villa Park--isn't that also where ReneG-reported Lunar Brewing Co. is located? That could make a pretty nice trip.

I'm surprised that a whole fish is desired. I've never actually had the dish with snapper, favoring the shrimp version (and I make a variation with chicken breasts, but... that's another show), and I figured that chunks of fileted fish would be the way to go.

Aaron Deacon wrote:

stevez wrote:

David Hammond wrote:I'm pretty sure I've seen good-sized snapper at Supreme Lobster (http://www.supremelobster.com/) on North Avenue in Villa Park.

Villa Park--isn't that also where ReneG-reported Lunar Brewing Co. is located? That could make a pretty nice trip.

Aaron,

Good memory.

Yes, Lunar Brewing is in Villa Park, on St. Charles.

Hammond

There's always Issacson & Stein, where I'm pretty sure I've seen red snapper on the portlier side. You can't always vouch for the quality of their retail offerings, though. Sometimes their whole fish don't exactly have the crearest eyes I have ever seen. Be sure to look the fish over carefully before buying.

there's a snapper cousin that comes off the
Atlantic coast around VA/NC. It's called a black snapper. Very similar (hard to tell the diff in a heavily sauced preparation). Plus, its about 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Try some fish stores near Lem's, if I had to venture a guess.

Yes, Lunar Brewing is in Villa Park, on St. Charles.

I'd always consider Lunar Brewing (54 E St Charles) worth a visit and buying a fish sounds like a perfect excuse. Besides generally interesting brewed-on-premises beers they also have Old Potrero for a very reasonable $7 a shot. I find Lunar to be one of the most comfortable bars around.

Speaking of Villa Park, did anyone see the Reader restaurant section from a week ago? There's a Mexican restaurant in Villa Park I'd never heard of that got a shockingly high rating. Tierra Grill at 525 E St Charles. Anyone been?

For snapper you might consider Fisherman's Choice at 8918 S Commercial (3000 E). I was surprised but pleased to see it listed in the Slow Food Guide. They don't have a huge variety but snapper seems to be a strong area. They usually have red and yellow plus some similar (I think; anyone know?) Caribbean fishes like parrot fish and goat fish, all whole. I can't guarantee they'll have three pounders but you can call them at 773-734-8320 to check. Their fish is generally very fresh and prices are lower than almost anywhere. Commercial Fish Market across the street at 8913 is worth a look too.

I know that's a long way to go for a fish but there are lots of other nearby places to make the trip even more worthwhile. For an appetizer have some ceviche tostadas at the counter in front of Fisherman's Choice or go across the street to the taco and juice counter in La Fruiteria (8909 S Commercial). Le Creole is over on South Chicago (9174) for a good Haitian meal. For dessert stop at Casino Restaurant (9706 S Commercial) for a square of krempita and a cup of Turkish coffee You can get fresh masa for your tortillas at Cecy's Molino de Masa (8544 S Commercial; closes at noon). Pick up some excellent Polish sausage or even better German style at Polka Sausage (8753 S Commercial). Family Market (8933 S Commercial) has reasonably priced free range chickens raised on the family farm. Go to Calumet Fisheries (3259 E 95th) for smoked trout or salmon or better yet some smoked shrimp (would be a nice appetizer before the snapper). All these places and more are within about a mile of Fisherman's Choice.

I've seen sizeable snapper at Chicago Food Corp. (3344 Kimball, I believe - just north of Kimball and Belmont) and at a number of markets in the Broadway/Argyle area, particularly the large market in the large L-shaped strip mall on the east side of the street. The name escapes me. The quality might be a bit below that of Fish Guy or Dirks but they charge a fraction of the price - around $4.99 a pound instead of $8 - $9 per pound.

rien

OK, folks. So it's now 2014...and the snappers tend to be even smaller, if you can get them at all. Any ideas where I can find a good one on the South side or anywhere up to Lakeview? Many thanks...

Further than your designated area, but Fresh Farms in Niles regularly carries snapper much larger than that (we once bought one in the 10 lb. range). When we bought that huge one, I think it was about $4.99/lb.

GNR Boston Fish Market would be the place to go.

=R=

Boston Fish Market
1225 E. Forest Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018
(847) 803-2100
http://www.bostonfishmkt.com