Home United StatesChicago Shaw’s Oyster Bar, River North

Shaw’s Oyster Bar, River North

by Krista

Shaws Oyster Bar Menu Shaw’s Oyster Bar
21 E Hubbard Street
Chicago

Date of Last Visit: July 7, 2011

The Victim: Brandon

The Background: Yes, I’m on a bit of an oyster kick these days. And yes, I know it’s July and July doesn’t have an R in it. But I don’t care. If someone wants to feed me oysters, I will gladly partake.

Sadly, there’s no one feeding me oysters these days. So I have to feed myself. On occasion, I will also feed others. Like Brandon.

It’s nice dining with a chef because you realize that your obsession with food and restaurants in general is nothing — NOTHING — close to what they feel and how they see things. I follow food and know the big names; chefs follow food and know ALL the names. It’s an odd experience to be confronted with your own lack of knowledge on something you feel fairly knowledgeable about.

Slightly blurry oyster photoI like Shaw’s Oyster Bar. It’s fun. And $24 bucks (ish) for a dozen oysters is a mighty fine deal. But there’s A LOT of stuff behind the bar at Shaw’s. I should have taken photos. So much clutter. The OCD in me wanted to clear it all out. But that probably wouldn’t have gone over well.

Shaw's Lobster Roll$17 for a lobster roll is also a mighty fine deal, especially given the amount of filling. Seriously stuffed. Brandon took issue with the brioche-y roll. He’s a purist, that one. I didn’t mind it because untoasted hot dog buns (and untoasted hamburger buns) are really one of my most unfavorite things ever.

I wanted a lobster roll at Shaw’s because they’ve been all over the press these last 12 months. I’ve had lobster rolls before of course, but never in the midst of such a fervor. They were just there. And I ate them. OK.

So I ate Shaw’s lobster roll and I remembered…lobster and me…meh. Some people die over lobster. I’m not one of them.

I’ll stick with oysters, thanks.

The Verdict: You might remember I wasn’t a big fan of the main restaurant at Shaw’s. But the oyster bar is fun. And for oysters, a surprisingly good value. Ah also, I really liked the service. Really congenial. They’ve got a keeper, there.

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