Fresh Sardines/Smelt

Does anyone have a favorite place to pick up fresh sardines or smelt? I tried Dirk's but the don't have any at the moment

thanks in advance

I bought some (fresh sardines) at Fresh Farms in Niles about a month ago; I don't know if they are a regular item, though.

H-Mart regularly has fresh sardines too. I've been playing around with fresh sardines now that it nice outside. Cooking them on the cast iron when the house is closed up with just the crappy fan above my stove is a no-no.

If you live near the Bensenville area call or stop by either Supreme lobster as they may have them or Fortune Fish house (bought them directly from them). I had some a few weeks back and grilled (sardines) with lemon, parsley, sea salt, EVOO and garlic. We indulged almost 5 pounds!!! I can't wait to get my hands on some fresh anchovies soon too!

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up getting some smelt and sardines from Whole Foods in Lincoln Park. They didn't look particularly fabulous but will have to do. This is my first time grilling them so hopefully I will have plenty of opportunities to try them from some of the suggested places...

Hey guys. This is Carl from Supreme. We should start seeing ready availabilty of Monterey Sardines in a few weeks. The season is about to open. If you're not familiar with these, they're some of the most prized sardines in pro kitchens. Keep checking the website for updates on when they'll be in, and thanks for considering us!!

I just picked up some fresh sardines from the Whole Foods on Kingsbury on Saturday. $9.99/lb - roughly 6 to the pound.

I love both.

But ive never had Sardines not from a grocery store can (although i love those) or any Anchovies that were amazing.

Looking for some recommendations of your favorites and where to get them.

AlexAC, welcome to LTH Forum!

First places I'd call are Dirk's, The Fish Guy, the Lincoln Park (Kingsbury) Whole Foods, and then maybe Issacson and Stein. I've had good success at Dirk's and, if they don't have them, they can either get them or tell why they can't.

I love the white anchovies at Graziano's on Randolph though I heard that they may not be stocking them right now--so if you're making a special trip, maybe call first.

Fresh Farms on Touhy regularly had fresh sardines and the quality is very good. They probabaly are frozen but that is what you will find anyplace even Mitsuwa which has superb fresh sardines but not always available. H-Mart also carries them but I like FF quality better.
As to smelt, Smelt changes character after being caught. i long ago gave up on store purchased smelt and always look for a source of 'caught today' smelt.-Richard
BTW Saturday picked up very small fresh anchovies at Fresh Farms.
Used a recipe a Filipino told me with eggs, soy sauce, garlic and onions.
Superb quality, absolutely no fishy taste or smell.
Nice way to utilize the small anchovies!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! Now to go get some and find some nice grilling recipes.

smelt

at the retail stores around here aren't there a few species of fish labeled that?

ocean caught and great lakes fresh water caught

Yes there is both Great Lakes smelt and varieties that are sea run smelt.
Since I don't purchase them commercially, I don't know the source of what you see for sale locally but any vendor should be able to tell you the source.
I can tell you that in Wisconsin, the smelt for all purposes are gone. Reports of the locals are, some nights not any and some nights only a few. Not like in the 1980's where you put in a net a few times and you had dinner for three of four people.
Use a scissors to de-fin and de-head, push out the guts, fry and serve with a few dipping sauces, superb.
But commercial caught lake smelt never ever tasted that same to me, so we stopped long a go purchasing commercial. -Richard

Dirk had fresh sardines today.

leek wrote:Dirk had fresh sardines today.

Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop
2070 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 404-3475

=R=

Boston Fish Market had fresh sardines a month ago. A little salt, olive oil, they were fantastic on the grill.

Anyone ever head to Market Fisheries on south side over on 71st & State?

Heinen's in Glenview has fresh sardines (or at least did two days ago)

The best 'fresh' sardines I have found in the Chicago area are sold by Mitsuwa and come by way of Tsukiji market.
Most 'fresh' sardines are previously frozen.
In my opinion the term 'Fresh' fish in the retail trade has become meaningless. I always ask and in 90%, the answer is 'fresh frozen'.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/c ... ?fr=101.95
-Richard

That sure was a budrichard post