Calumet Fisheries

"1948 must have been a popular year for eating in the car, because that’s also when Calumet Fisheries, a little seafood smokehouse on the 95th Street Bridge, opened. Plan on sitting in your car unless it’s warm enough to hang around outside, or if it’s the kind of day where you can justify getting away with just a sweatshirt, grab one of the outdoor tables instead. Get some smoked salmon and fried shrimp—then the sturgeon, trout, whitefish, and herring for good measure." - adrian kane, john ringor, nick allen

"Calumet is a fish smokehouse that's been around since 1948. It’s literally a shack on the 95th Street Bridge over the Calumet River, wedged between Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyway. They’re smoking shrimp, whitefish, salmon, trout, catfish, and a lot more in their little wood smoker out back, and you need to be a part of it. Just know there’s no place to sit, so come in the summer when you can hang outside, or plan on eating in your car." - nick allen, john ringor, adrian kane

"Calumet Fisheries is literally a shack located on the 95th Street bridge over the Calumet River, wedged between Lake Michigan and the Chicago Skyway. Yes, Anthony Bourdain filmed No Reservations here in 2009, and yes, this is the bridge from the original Blues Brothers movie. But don’t think for one second Calumet has relied on either to stay in business since 1948. It’s the fish that keeps people coming back year in and year out. photo credit: Kim Kovacik The smoked fish is delightful and will make you realize that our ancestors had the right idea. Calumet uses oak for all the smoking (after brining the seafood) and everything tastes fantastic. But our favorite is the lightly smoked shrimp and the delicately seasoned garlic and pepper salmon. Fried shrimp is available and tasty, but it’s not what this place does best so don't come here without getting some of the smoked stuff. It’s a cash-only strictly take-out operation with only room for a few people to be inside at once. There are two makeshift tables outside, but your general plan should be to eat while sitting or standing half in/half out of your car. This makes visiting Calumet is one of our favorite summer activities in the city, but we happily come here year-round. Food Rundown photo credit: Kim Kovacik Smoked Fish You can’t go wrong with any of the smoked fish. Options include: catfish, eel, heads and collars, rainbow trout, sable, salmon (plain or pepper and garlic), shrimp, sturgeon, trout (plain or pepper & garlic), white fish, and herring. Everything is smoked in their little smokehouse out back, and we cannot stress enough how wonderful the smoked salmon and shrimp are. photo credit: Kim Kovacik Fried Shrimp There is fried seafood on the menu, and our favorite is the fried shrimp. The breading is light, and doesn't slide off. Order as a dinner, which comes with fries, coleslaw, and a drink." - Sam Faye

"James Beard Award-winning South Side fish shop Calumet Fisheries doesn’t have any seating, so many visitors feast on smoked sable and chubs or plates of fried shrimp with fries and coleslaw right in their cars. That makes for a particularly intimate way to share a meal before cruising off to the next stop on a date. Just be sure to bring cash." - Samantha Nelson

"This legendary smoked fish shack on the far South Side is a great way to escape the city. Buy a bunch of fish and enjoy your food from the comfort of your car. This is one of the city’s most beloved restaurants, having opened in 1928." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff