July 25, 2009 My wife and I dined at Shaw’s Crab House Sat night, and it was fantastic. We have eaten out at a lot of seafood restaurants, and we can honestly say that Shaw’s (either Chicago or Schaumburg) still has it going on, and is top of our list for consistent, quality seafood and shellfish. The food is always prepared right, with great service, and the dining room is comfortable, where you can relax and enjoy your meal. Here was our dinner/all worthy selections: Start with their hand-shucked dozen assortment of oysters (Chicago Magazine just voted “the best” oysters), then their famous jumbo lump crabmeat crabcake (North Shore magazine voted “best crabcake”), then their wonderful Lobster Bisque soup, then split an order of their steamed Alaskan King Crab legs with side of melted butter, then try the in-season special, three delicious soft shell crabs sautéed in lemon, garlic butter, all with great veggie sides, and end it all with Key Lime Pie and Homers Peppermint Ice Cream with Hot Fudge sauce. Hot Intelligentsia coffee drinks and specialty tea capped it all off, and we were very happy. Shaw’s has the seafood dining experience down to a perfect science.

The 4-6 1/2 oyster special is one of the best Ive ever been to in any city. Very good atmosphere and attentive, excellent service. Great raw bar with chalkboard specials for fish in season. Front dining room is very classy and very nice bar too. Def. worth your time.

This is one of my go-to late afternoon lunch spots downtown. Nothing better, in my opinion, on a cold winter late afternoon than a bottle of white wine, a dozen oysters and a bowl of lobster bisque. Love it.

Cannot wait to go back.

We went to Shaws twice during our 5 day stay in Chicago and loved it. The oyster menu has some of my favorite Northwest oysters, including the Kusshi from BC. The prices are average at $13/dozen. They had just received some bay scallops from Nantucket and we thought they were very good, albeit xpensive at $34 for the entree. We also tried the spicy crab/salmon roll covered with thinly sliced lemons. It was very tasty. Overall the atmosphere is relaxed and the bartenders are very friendly and know their stuff. I'd definitley go there again.

Shaw's, which is just down the street from the Billy Goat Tavern, has a dual personality. The main restaurant brims with old-fashioned ambience: muted lighting, wood accents, etc., and is plenty respectable for a dinner with mom or grandma. A power meal with the boss would work here, too. But if mom, grandma, or your boss is a drinker or cusser, then you want the other half of Shaw's, which is the adjacent oyster bar. Most recently, I ate at the oyster bar, which I prefer for the relaxed atmosphere. (The patrons tend to be more relaxed and convivial as well.) I went late (9pm), so I can't attest to the crowds. The bartender was solicitous to a fault. In addition to all the conventional fresh seafood in this place (the daily catch -- both fish and shellfish -- is posted on the wall), they have sushi, which is like having a second menu of appetizers. I had a dozen oysters and some sushi, chased with a beer (OK two) and a shot. The bartender helped me select oysters that I like (sweet and plump, not too briny) which on this occasion were the PEIs from Canada. They were delicious, though I was a bit disappointed with their size -- I used to think this was a seasonal thing, but an oysterman in Seattle once explained to me that it has more to do with who the restaurant buys its oysters from. I also like an oyster bar that gives a baker's dozen; this one does not. The sushi was very good and fresh, and the rice had the right su mixture (the sweet vinegar mixture that is folded into the rice). Drinks are pricey, but nothing unexpected for an old-time downtown seafood house. Good place for a date. If you want a more down-to-earth seafood house, head for the Half Shell on Diversey.