Half Shell, Inc.

As the other reviewers state- this place has great food. Fried oyster appetizers were clean and crisp. King crab legs were GREAT seemed like every table had an order. Huge pieces of succelent meat. The fried shrimp were A+ as well. Great portions with both being served on bed of french fries. Pros: Great value Cons: Parking- cramped seating more

My Pop used to sneak me in here when it was a biker dive bar in the 70s/80s when I was a youngster and The Turk was the Boss. So aside from many fond memories it is one of my favorite value-for-money places in Chicago AND the best seafood place I have been to and I have been everywhere, from up to downscale. When you enter the Half shell you think you are going into a cave--it is in a basement and has a few tables with Christmas lights left up year round. The service is no frills, and luckily the menu doesn't change much. The shrimp are large and excellent and when softshell crabs are in season (usually in June) they actually prepare them correctly which is saying something about their seafood know-how since most restaurants I have been in (even ridiculously overpriced Loop and river North places), do not prepare them properly. The women's restroom has a bathtub in it. May this place stay open forever. My favorites--softshell crabs in season (usually June), fire roasted clams, and the crab specials. If you don't like seafood don't go--aside from a few side dishes (decent house salad), it's seafood served with a lollipop and lettuce leaf, and there aint much else (there's tenderloin & shrimp too). It's a romantic place, but also they will accommodate kids (but they have to like seafood AND not run around since it is dark!). Pros: great prices, tasty seafood, nice relaxed atmosphere Cons: for me there aren't any, but be aware the waitstaff won't hover, CASH ONLY more

I went one day at lunch time and ordered a dozen raw oysters at the bar. The oysters were the worst I've ever had. Pros: Casual Cons: They wash their oysters after shucking them, rendering them tasteless more

I stopped into Half Shell tonight and can honestly say it's the second best seafood I've had in Chicago - slightly behind Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop on Clybourn. The difference? Price! Half Shell, as a RESTAURANT, was about ? more affordable than Dirk's - a retail seafood shop. AMAZING! I'll definitely be back to Half Shell, but, per the handwritten messages from the owner posted on the door I won't think about wearing a tank top, sporting a baseball cap, or paying with anything other than cash. Make sure you don't either or else you'll be asked to comply with house rules! Pros: Excellent seafood at a great price! Cons: Dingy inside - eat out on the patio and do some people watching! more

I've been going to the Half Shell since 1972. When west of Halsted, was considered dangerous (or German). If you like dives, if you like seafood, you will like this. I am surprised that it's just since 1968, I would have pinned it earlier since my much older brotherinlaw introduced it to me in '72..... well before any of you reading this were born. Yes, ""were"". Subjunctive. Pros: divey Cons: newly unpleasant neighborhood more

My friends and I went out to Halfshell last Friday night we has excellent food! The portions were big and the taste was amazing. The only problem service is in the toilet Pros: great food Cons: sevice sucks more

Half Shell has delicious, hearty portions of seafood in a no frills environment. The snow crab legs are phenomenal as is the fried shrimp (served with coctail sauce and another sauce, perhaps apple-horseradish, that is sweet and spicy. It can get very crowded, but the wait is well worth it. The prices are really reasonable considering the portion size. They have daily lunch specials as well, for an even better deal. Pros: huge portions, mouth-watering crab, great value more

As a visitor from Texas, I was introduced to the Half Shell over 20 years ago and make a pilgrimage each time I'm in Chicago . It is the best of ""The best kept secrets of Chicago"". If you prefer great atmosphere, casual dress, cold beer and the most succulent King Crab in the history of ever. Search no further. Pros: Great food, Great Service, Great atmosphere Cons: I'm not there now more

Do me a favor and don't listen to the HYPE the food here is just bad... Now that that has been said I want it all for my self. This is one of the best places for seafood anywhere. BOB CHIN'S in a tight space. The bar tenders here are fun to watch, how they rember all the parties and the order they get sat. Pros: great food, try the salad Cons: long wait on the week, cash only more

After a 3 year hiatus from visiting the Half Shell, I was there three times in a week - and each time my King Crab legs were fantastic! I hope this place stays just the same for years to come! I have had enough of waiters & waitresses who introduce themselves by name! As long as they bring my food and my drinks, these people are alright in my book! Its the food that counts. Pros: Inexpensive, Consistent more