Half Shell

hello all! i am going to half shell tonight. i did a search and didn't find much about the place. any thoughts?

half shell restaurant
676 W. Diversey Pkwy

I have not eaten there in many, many years, but they used to have one of the best deals on king crab legs in the city and absolutely zero atmosphere. (Or, you may consider it to be an abundance of atmosphere, depending on your outlook). Try to get a table near the fireplace.

Although I've lived in the neighborhood for 7 years, I didn't get there until this summer. I just recently developing a liking for seafood, but I always liked fish. I think that it's a great hole in the wall type of place for decent grub at good prices. Let us know how your visit is. I want to go back.

Along with Cafe Bernard, this might be one of the oldest continuously operating non-diner-coffee-shop-type restaurants in the city! I first went there in 1976, I think. My last visit was probably in 1983. The mrs. and I tried to go there a couple of years ago as we were walking home from a movie at the Century, but it was so crowded we could hardly squeeze ourselves past the door. Let us know how it's holding up.

King crab, fried seafood better than average, meat not so. Lack of atmosphere kind of endiring. Wait can be bad and crowded. Kind of wish I was going tonight as I have not been in a few years.

Babaluch

While they are not particularly fashionable, I've always enjoyed the Blue Point oysters at the Half Shell. I suggest you go early or late, as it is quite crowded.

Wanted to up this thread and see if there are any new opinions as I'm considering going this weekend.

Steamed shrimp w/cocktail sauce are killers. King crab legs still rule.

Cogito wrote:King crab legs still rule.

Sometime over the summer I went back for--seriously--the first time in around 30 years. I had the platter of king crab legs and enjoyed them quite a bit. If you want to trust my memory of how they compared (I wouldn't if I were you), I'd say the 2010 legs had a little less meat in them and a little more water than the 1980 versions, but you didn't hear me complaining.

Commbrkdwn wrote:Wanted to up this thread and see if there are any new opinions as I'm considering going this weekend.

I have been going there (off and on) since it opened 30 something years ago, and it hasn't changed a lick, except for the lack of cigarette smoke (and higher prices). While I am an ex-smoker who detests the habit, places like this (and the Green Mill), seem to demand a bluish haze to complete the ambience.

Unless they have changed recently, bring cash (they don't take plastic). Also don't expect anything resembling service. The mangement takes pride in their "efficiency" , which (like at San Soo Gap San) can often be misinterpreted as rudeness. You order, they deliver, end of story. Nobody pretends to be your new best friend in the hope of securing a good tip.

The Crab Legs are quite good. I personally prefer the Snow Crab legs over the King Crab( I find them sweeter). When soft-shelled crab is in season, they do a nice job with them also (a simple but tasty lightly dusted and fried prep served in a plastic basket). The blue-points ain't bad either.

The place is not for everybody. It is a dark and dingy basement hole-in-the-wall, so if you prefer your seafood served in a pristine well-lit environment, stay away. For me, it is a great place to swill a few cold ones and enjoy some decent and unpretentiously prepared sea critters in a total time warp dive.

d4v3 wrote:The place is not for everybody. It is a dark and dingy basement hole-in-the-wall, so if you prefer your seafood served in a pristine well-lit environment, stay away.

I would add that they used to make a great Irish coffee, and would warn those who are a little queasy not to visit the restroom before eating, unless you've enjoyed the ambiance of a country gas station restroom in Mississippi or
Arkansas.

This place is a lemoneater family tradition. I'd say it's very old school Chicago (read: dive bar, only caring about the food) that is a refreshing change of pace from the neighborhood. For newcomers, you can ease in by eating on the patio, or go for the full experience and walk inside. TAKE SERIOUSLY the no hat policy. I can't explain it, but I have heard of people being thrown out for non-compliance. And yes, it's cash only, and you will probably need more cash than you'd expect, based on the ambiance. The Mulligan soup (like bouillabaisse) is excellent, and if you like smoked fish, try the smoked chub and onions. This place is not so easy on the strict vegetarian, though there are a couple of salad and french fry options. For the rest, enjoy the seafood.