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Fried Shrimp Joints

Fried Shrimp Joints
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  • Post #61 - May 14th, 2011, 7:14 pm
    Post #61 - May 14th, 2011, 7:14 pm Post #61 - May 14th, 2011, 7:14 pm
    Best fried Shrimp I have ever had. Never frozen, lightly breaded, great seasoning and perfectly cooked.
    Served with warmed cocktail sauce and hot sauce.

    Haire's Gulf Shrimp
    8112 S Vincennes Ave , Chicago, IL 6062
    Carry out only call ahead (773) 783-1818
    Menu
    Shrimp
    Large "Bomb" Bag
    Small Bag
    Large Dinner
    Small Dinner
    includes slaw and choice of Fries or Spaghetti
    "I drink to make other people more interesting."
    Ernest Hemingway
  • Post #62 - May 15th, 2011, 9:49 pm
    Post #62 - May 15th, 2011, 9:49 pm Post #62 - May 15th, 2011, 9:49 pm
    Hombre de Acero wrote:IMHO-
    Hagan's Fisheries
    5635 W. Montrose
    Chicago
    773.283.1944
    http://www.hagensfishmarket.com/index1.html

    does not get enough love outta the lth crowd.
    I mean- where else in Chicago, can you bring your freshly caught Lake Michigan Coho to be smoked?......
    And- while negotiating the smoking particulars, munch on some very tasty, well breaded (but not too heavy)
    Shrimp for $13.00 to $18.00 a lb. (depending on size). The fried scallops and fried smelt are quite good here as well.
    The place just reeks of "Old School" Chicago Shrimp/Fish joints.
    In a way- it also has that "Door County" kinda vibe, not in a touristy/gimmicky kinda way-
    just feels very - "folks-ie"


    Hagan's is awesome. Smelt, perch, smoked chubs, shrimp...what more do you need?
  • Post #63 - May 16th, 2011, 1:00 pm
    Post #63 - May 16th, 2011, 1:00 pm Post #63 - May 16th, 2011, 1:00 pm
    I have never been to Hagens But is it possible its better than Calumet fisheries? Granted , you cant bring in your own fish for them to smoke. Just asking.
  • Post #64 - May 16th, 2011, 2:55 pm
    Post #64 - May 16th, 2011, 2:55 pm Post #64 - May 16th, 2011, 2:55 pm
    dbrick59 wrote:I have never been to Hagens But is it possible its better than Calumet fisheries? Granted , you cant bring in your own fish for them to smoke. Just asking.

    Hagen's is good, but too expensive.
    What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
  • Post #65 - May 16th, 2011, 3:36 pm
    Post #65 - May 16th, 2011, 3:36 pm Post #65 - May 16th, 2011, 3:36 pm
    Hombre de Acero wrote:IMHO-
    Hagan's Fisheries
    5635 W. Montrose
    Chicago
    773.283.1944
    http://www.hagensfishmarket.com/index1.html

    does not get enough love outta the lth crowd.
    I mean- where else in Chicago, can you bring your freshly caught Lake Michigan Coho to be smoked?......
    And- while negotiating the smoking particulars, munch on some very tasty, well breaded (but not too heavy)
    Shrimp for $13.00 to $18.00 a lb. (depending on size). The fried scallops and fried smelt are quite good here as well.
    The place just reeks of "Old School" Chicago Shrimp/Fish joints.
    In a way- it also has that "Door County" kinda vibe, not in a touristy/gimmicky kinda way-
    just feels very - "folks-ie"


    It has a 2 page thread, though no posts in the last year-ish. Either people are still going but choosing not to post . . . or not going. Back when I used to fish a lot more it was where we dropped off our catch to be smoked. Other than that, while I like their fried shrimp just fine, it's not something I buy all that frequently. The majority of my shrimp eating, fried or otherwise, usually takes place when I'm back down South in proximity to Gulf shrimp.
    Objects in mirror appear to be losing.
  • Post #66 - July 5th, 2011, 12:30 pm
    Post #66 - July 5th, 2011, 12:30 pm Post #66 - July 5th, 2011, 12:30 pm
    My first visit to Troha's today for lunch.

    Top notch. Nicely breaded and fried shrimps.
    Liked their shrimp sauce and hot sauce for dipping as well.

    Only 15-20 minutes from my work, Ill be back.
    Last edited by jimswside on January 29th, 2014, 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
  • Post #67 - July 5th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Post #67 - July 5th, 2011, 2:12 pm Post #67 - July 5th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Silly me, I saw this and thought it was some new food item like chicken fingers.
  • Post #68 - July 6th, 2011, 9:13 am
    Post #68 - July 6th, 2011, 9:13 am Post #68 - July 6th, 2011, 9:13 am
    i grew up on al's and the fish keg, living in palm beach and ft lauderdale area now 27 years and theres no place here like chicago's shrimp shacks, sad but true
  • Post #69 - July 7th, 2011, 6:21 am
    Post #69 - July 7th, 2011, 6:21 am Post #69 - July 7th, 2011, 6:21 am
    I've been to Hagen's, Calumet, Lawrence, and some random place on the southside of Roosevelt near Fitzgerald's. But for me, Redhot Ranch is it. I have not however, been to Troha's.

    Can someone who has been to both give a comparison?

    Thanks!
    "We eat slowly and with gusto." - Paul Bäumer in AQOTWF
  • Post #70 - July 7th, 2011, 7:13 am
    Post #70 - July 7th, 2011, 7:13 am Post #70 - July 7th, 2011, 7:13 am
    Sweetbread wrote:I've been to Hagen's, Calumet, Lawrence, and some random place on the southside of Roosevelt near Fitzgerald's. But for me, Redhot Ranch is it. I have not however, been to Troha's.

    Can someone who has been to both give a comparison?

    Thanks!



    I really like RH Ranch's, but I dont think they are as good as Troha's, I put Troha's right behind Calumet Fisheries for my 2 favorite shrimp spots in Chicagoland.
  • Post #71 - July 8th, 2011, 11:06 pm
    Post #71 - July 8th, 2011, 11:06 pm Post #71 - July 8th, 2011, 11:06 pm
    The Red Hot Ranch & 35th Street Dogs serve excellent fried shrimps.

    Red Hot Ranch
    2072 N. Western
    Chicago, IL

    35th Street Dogs
    500 W. 35th Street
    Chicago, IL
    Mark A Reitman, PhD
    Professor of Hot Dogs
    Hot Dog University/Vienna Beef
  • Post #72 - July 8th, 2011, 11:46 pm
    Post #72 - July 8th, 2011, 11:46 pm Post #72 - July 8th, 2011, 11:46 pm
    I'm a little surprised no one's mentioned Captain Porky's up in Wadsworth. Best fried shrimp I've ever had, although Calumet Fisheries is exemplary also. Hagen's fried shrimp the last time I had them were not good, an ammonia flavor ruined it for me.
    trpt2345
  • Post #73 - July 10th, 2011, 7:30 pm
    Post #73 - July 10th, 2011, 7:30 pm Post #73 - July 10th, 2011, 7:30 pm
    I've been binging alot of late on Redhot Ranch. Hard to beat their real deal Chicago style hot dog with a half pound of fried for $11 and change. It always does the trick.

    Image
    Redhot Ranch is where its at
  • Post #74 - August 16th, 2011, 10:44 am
    Post #74 - August 16th, 2011, 10:44 am Post #74 - August 16th, 2011, 10:44 am
    So a couple weeks ago, a friend and I hit Red Hot Ranch and Calumet in the same day. There was no question that RHR was the winner. Better shrimp taste, better shrimp texture, bigger shrimp, less greasy, lighter batter. If you currently reside on Camp Calumet, I beg you to take the same-day challenge. Chances are you will quickly pack your belongings and head to The Ranch for an extended stay.

    Today's match-up: Troha's v. Red Hot Ranch.

    It will be my maiden voyage to Troha's, so I can't wait to see what these shrimp are all about.
    "We eat slowly and with gusto." - Paul Bäumer in AQOTWF
  • Post #75 - August 16th, 2011, 8:33 pm
    Post #75 - August 16th, 2011, 8:33 pm Post #75 - August 16th, 2011, 8:33 pm
    I don't think the fried shrimp is the big thing drawing LTHers to calumet fisheries. if that's all you had there, you dun goofed.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #76 - August 17th, 2011, 7:47 am
    Post #76 - August 17th, 2011, 7:47 am Post #76 - August 17th, 2011, 7:47 am
    Trohas has been on my must try list for a long time. Maybe lunch today...
    I used to think the brain was the most important part of the body. Then I realized who was telling me that.
  • Post #77 - August 17th, 2011, 8:10 pm
    Post #77 - August 17th, 2011, 8:10 pm Post #77 - August 17th, 2011, 8:10 pm
    gleam wrote:I don't think the fried shrimp is the big thing drawing LTHers to calumet fisheries. if that's all you had there, you dun goofed.


    Never fear, no goofin' here.

    This being the "Fried Shrimp Joints" thread, and there being 8 mentions of Calumet's fried shrimp by other LTHers in this thread, I thought I'd keep the dialogue relevant. I've been to Calumet over a dozen times and only got fried shrimp on my last visit. Again, disappointing. I'll stick to smoked shrimp and salmon collars from here on out.

    Anyway, we made our maiden voyage to Troha's yesterday to see how it compares to Red Hot Ranch. A very close call, but RHR came out on top.

    Shrimp taste: tie
    Shrimp texture: tie
    Shrimp size: tie
    Grease factor: Red Hot Ranch
    Batter: Red Hot Ranch

    In all, Troha's was really freakin' good, but was pretty greasy compared to RHR. There was a strong oil presence in the batter, and in the shrimp itself. As a result, the shrimp and batter flavors were diminished by oil flavor. Our fingers were greasier after one Troha shrimp than a 1/2 lb sack of RHR shrimp.

    I'd like to here from others regarding the comparisons, but remember, this is a "same-day" comparison. Nostalgia is not a metric.
    "We eat slowly and with gusto." - Paul Bäumer in AQOTWF
  • Post #78 - August 21st, 2011, 10:48 am
    Post #78 - August 21st, 2011, 10:48 am Post #78 - August 21st, 2011, 10:48 am
    It seems to me that Troha's and Red Hot Ranch should be in two different categories since the breading/batter style is so different. I love them both, but it's apples and oranges to me.
  • Post #79 - August 21st, 2011, 1:10 pm
    Post #79 - August 21st, 2011, 1:10 pm Post #79 - August 21st, 2011, 1:10 pm
    I really liked the shrimp at Trohas on Wednesday. Unfortunately I also ordered the scallops which were terrible. off tasting bits of scallop the size of peas. They might have been bay scallops but cut in half. I'd go back for the shrimp but avoid the scallops like the plague.
    I used to think the brain was the most important part of the body. Then I realized who was telling me that.
  • Post #80 - August 21st, 2011, 2:58 pm
    Post #80 - August 21st, 2011, 2:58 pm Post #80 - August 21st, 2011, 2:58 pm
    Lost in the Troha's/Red Hot Ranch comparison is GNR Captain Porky's which, although far outside of the Chicago City Limits, certainly deserves consideration as an outstanding purveyor of fried shrimp.
    Steve Z.

    “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
    ― Ludwig van Beethoven
  • Post #81 - August 21st, 2011, 3:18 pm
    Post #81 - August 21st, 2011, 3:18 pm Post #81 - August 21st, 2011, 3:18 pm
    The fried shrimp at a recent trip to Hagen's impressed me. A friend wanted to check out their fish sandwich, which wasn't bad, either but the shrimp really stood out. They were very clean-tasting, piping hot and quite plump beneath the light, granular, break-apart breading . . .

    Image
    Hagen's Fish Market - 5635 W. Montrose, Chicago


    Image
    Jumbo Fried Shrimp at Hagen's

    I also think, as Steve mentioned above, that Captain Porky's does a great job with shrimp. As much as I enjoy there, that's their very best item, IMO . . .

    Image
    Jumbo Fried Gulf Shrimp at Captain Porky's

    As for Redhot Ranch, I enjoy their dogs and fries -- and love the place in general -- but the shrimp are second tier, at best. The breading is hard and dense, and the shrimp have a pronounced iodine note that's really offputting for me. I'd probably go out of my way to have a dog there but for the shrimp, definitely not.

    =R=

    Hagen's Fish Market
    5635 W Montrose Ave
    Chicago, IL 60634
    (773) 283-1944

    Captain Porky's
    38995 Route 41
    Wadsworth, IL 60087
    (847) 360-7460

    Redhot Ranch
    2072 N Western Ave
    Chicago, IL 60647
    (773) 772-6020
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #82 - August 21st, 2011, 4:19 pm
    Post #82 - August 21st, 2011, 4:19 pm Post #82 - August 21st, 2011, 4:19 pm
    I have to give a shout out to the Grand Ave. Shrimp House.

    If you're in Oak Park/Galewood/Austin/Montclair this is, in my opinion, your best bet for fried seafood.
    The fried scallops are great as well but avoid the cocktail sauce and crab salad at all costs – both are vile.

    Cogito may be the only other LTH fan but I think it deserves a little love.

    GASH sure ain't pretty, it's takeout only (frankly you wouldn't want to linger there and I'd leave the wife and kids at home while you pick-up), and you're very likely to overhear some folks on their cellphones talking about committing some pretty nefarious shit.

    If you can look past the rough outside there's some gold to be found inside.
  • Post #83 - September 17th, 2011, 10:01 am
    Post #83 - September 17th, 2011, 10:01 am Post #83 - September 17th, 2011, 10:01 am
    After not having had fried shrimp for quite awhile, I had tried Captain Porky's a couple weeks back. While good, I found myself still jonesen for fried shrimp.

    So last night I made my way to Hagens. I'm hoping it was an off night as the shrimp flavor was basically not there and the breading was quite dense. The hightlight was that Hagens was willing to take some of the fresh shucked oysters and fry those up for me. HEAVEN !! The breading on the oysters was totally different than the shrimp, which leads me to believe the shrimp may have been prebreaded for quite some time. (FWIW, I personally will take fresh fried oysters/clams over shrimp anyday).

    I did notice that Hagens had smoked shrimp which I will have to try someday instead of trucking all the way down to Calumet Fisheries. In just looking at the smoked shrimp, I could tell there were more than a few bad shrimp in the bunch which leads me to question the quality control aspect at Hagens. To be specific, approx 90% of the smoked shrimp were bright, plump, just the way I'd expect smoked shrimp to look, the other 10% were gray & mealy looking. Quite a high % in my opinion.

    Even though the oysters were terrific, I still had a jonesen for fried shrimp, so I headed over to RedHot Ranch
    Da Beef wrote:I've been binging alot of late on Redhot Ranch. Hard to beat their real deal Chicago style hot dog with a half pound of fried for $11 and change. It always does the trick.
    I have to agree with Da Beef, the shrimp at RedHot Ranch POPPED with flavor/freshness. I enjoyed the dog & fries as well.
    I did absolutely nothing and it was everything I thought it could be.
  • Post #84 - September 17th, 2011, 10:39 am
    Post #84 - September 17th, 2011, 10:39 am Post #84 - September 17th, 2011, 10:39 am
    Marshall K wrote:Best fried Shrimp I have ever had. Never frozen...

    Not to be contentious, but is there such a thing as shrimp in Chicago that are "never frozen"? How do they get from wherever they're caught to here without going through that step?
  • Post #85 - September 17th, 2011, 1:53 pm
    Post #85 - September 17th, 2011, 1:53 pm Post #85 - September 17th, 2011, 1:53 pm
    Considering you can get live shrimp in Chicago, I don't see why flying fresh shrimp up from the gulf is so unlikely.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #86 - September 17th, 2011, 2:27 pm
    Post #86 - September 17th, 2011, 2:27 pm Post #86 - September 17th, 2011, 2:27 pm
    gleam wrote:Considering you can get live shrimp in Chicago, I don't see why flying fresh shrimp up from the gulf is so unlikely.

    I sit corrected.
  • Post #87 - October 31st, 2011, 9:31 am
    Post #87 - October 31st, 2011, 9:31 am Post #87 - October 31st, 2011, 9:31 am
    nabbed a pound of shimp around 2:00 a.m. @ Red Hot Ranch Sunday before heading back out to Gods Country, really hit the spot as expected.

    That said I am still in the Troha's camp as my favorite shrimp in Chicagoland, if even by just the narrowest margin over RHR..
  • Post #88 - January 15th, 2013, 8:35 pm
    Post #88 - January 15th, 2013, 8:35 pm Post #88 - January 15th, 2013, 8:35 pm
    Shames me to say it but I had never been to the Southeast Side staple Hienie's until just recently. The Grubseeker came down into the city to watch his Ravens win in dramatic fashion and we hit up a few spots beforehand. It's long been on my list but never happened until we rode by thinking it was closed on Saturdays because that's what Yelp says but it's not.

    Image
    A longtime southside locals favorite

    People around here swear by this places sauce. It was on the cover of the original Chicago Streets & Sans Guide and as Kevin Pang points out in a great article he did for the Trib they eat it with everything around there. You can learn all about this sauce that "originated as an accompaniment to Vitner's pork rinds some 60 years ago" in the link. I'll post about the famous fried chicken that people swear by in it's due thread and it was also nice to see lake perch on the menu but for this its the shrimp. I really like theirs and found it somewhat similar to Calumet Fisheries as far as taste and breading. Both very good in my book.

    Image
    Hienie's Fried Shrimp and their popular Hot Sauce

    But then theres that sauce. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out where I had tasted this sensation in my mouth before. Then it hit me. That's the same stuff Goose Island has been using since I used to sneak out with my parents car to get fried shrimp with my friends before I could drive in high school. It was a taste back to my teens. Coincidentally Rene G just mentioned this in another thread. It really is addicting as I've wanted more since I had some and am considering some XL's from Goose Island Shrimp Shack soon, as in now.

    Image
    Goose Island Fried Shrimp atop their Hot Sauce aka "Hienie's" Sauce

    FYI - Goose Island has a thicker breading but it's still a great tasting old school shrimp shack.

    Heinie's Shrimp Shack
    10359 South Torrence Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60617
    (773) 734-8400

    Goose Island Shrimp House
    1011 West Division Street
    Chicago, IL 60642
    (312) 642-3640
  • Post #89 - January 15th, 2013, 9:33 pm
    Post #89 - January 15th, 2013, 9:33 pm Post #89 - January 15th, 2013, 9:33 pm
    Da Beef wrote:But then theres that sauce. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out where I had tasted this sensation in my mouth before. Then it hit me. That's the same stuff Goose Island has been using since I used to sneak out with my parents car to get fried shrimp with my friends before I could drive in high school. It was a taste back to my teens. Coincidentally Rene G just mentioned this in another thread. It really is addicting as I've wanted more since I had some and am considering some XL's from Goose Island Shrimp Shack soon, as in now.

    I never cared for that mustardy hot sauce on shrimp (an occasional dab can be okay on chicken or fries). For those who love it, keep your eyes open for the handy economy size bottle:

    Image

    Here's a link to my earlier mention of The Sauce (at Loncar's and GISH): Crispy Beef Tacos at Loncar's Liquors.
    Last edited by Rene G on January 15th, 2013, 9:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
  • Post #90 - January 15th, 2013, 9:49 pm
    Post #90 - January 15th, 2013, 9:49 pm Post #90 - January 15th, 2013, 9:49 pm
    In the western suburbs, I am told that Chicken Manor has good shrimp. I have not tried it yet as I just found out about it. They also have good chicken I was told. I see they also have stuffed shrimp, as well as scallops on the menu.

    Chicken Manor

    http://chickenmanor.com

    401 Irmen Drive Addison, IL 60101
    (630) 834-4487
    Toria

    "I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
    W. Shakespeare

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