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Where did all the Fulton Market fishmongers go???

Where did all the Fulton Market fishmongers go???
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  • Where did all the Fulton Market fishmongers go???

    Post #1 - October 9th, 2023, 9:18 am
    Post #1 - October 9th, 2023, 9:18 am Post #1 - October 9th, 2023, 9:18 am
    I’m from the islands and the seafood game in a Chicago has always been a challenge for me that seems to have gotten worse in recent years. I spent my first few years in Chicago every weekend making the trek to Fulton market to pickup fresh fish and shellfish and I’m trying to figure out where to find good seafood these days. L Isaacson and Stein was my usual stop and while it wasn’t the absolute best, it was better than anything you could find in typical grocery stores in terms of variety, price and quality . Fox and Obel had a decent seafood counter but then they went under. Then came the Lincoln Park Whole Foods which rescued me many times but today is just the usual spread of salmon and shrimp or whatever. Eataly had a fantastic seafood counter for a few years that has since gone downhill but at the moment is the best I can find in town.

    Anyone know if any of the Fulton market places moved elsewhere or anyone know of any better options for fresh, good quality seafood in or near the city? Preferably fish from the Americas and not imported from too far away. I can do H Mart for some things but worry about farming practices for some of the items they offer so I tend to skip.

    I can’t be the only one missing decent seafood in town!
  • Post #2 - October 9th, 2023, 9:30 am
    Post #2 - October 9th, 2023, 9:30 am Post #2 - October 9th, 2023, 9:30 am
    Some wholesalers like Supreme Lobster and Boston Fish Market still do retail (in Villa Park and Des Plaines, respectively) and broadly source from all over. In the city, there definitely aren't as many sources anymore. Dirk's is still around.
  • Post #3 - October 9th, 2023, 9:55 am
    Post #3 - October 9th, 2023, 9:55 am Post #3 - October 9th, 2023, 9:55 am
    We were also fond of both the fulton fishmongers and Fox&Obel. For a while we found a good replacement at https://www.wabashseafood.net
    But then they've waffled on whether they were doing retail or not. Website right now looks like they are.
    Dirks is our main go to now.
  • Post #4 - October 9th, 2023, 10:03 am
    Post #4 - October 9th, 2023, 10:03 am Post #4 - October 9th, 2023, 10:03 am
    Dirks is also my go-to fishmonger. See this thread, which also has links to related threads: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36931
  • Post #5 - October 10th, 2023, 8:19 am
    Post #5 - October 10th, 2023, 8:19 am Post #5 - October 10th, 2023, 8:19 am
    In Northern Illinois, Dirk’s is the best but pricey and the location is a pain for me as it’s on the NorthSide and with the Kennedy construction, I have not been there this year.
    Fresh Farms on Touhy has two fish counters. The center island has filleted fish and the quality is very good.
    The rear counter has whole fish and you must be knowledgable in purchasing whole fish.
    H-Mart has live tanks and the quality is usually excellent but again knowledge in live creatures is a must. Their whole fish can be excellent to fair but again you must know what to look for.
    For the best quality, on-line has come of age but it’s pricey.
    E-Fish in particular has been superb for the last few years since it’s start-up. Be aware that delivery costs are for a single transaction and the same no matter what you order. I always try to maximize the number of species I order to reduce shipping.
    The Ama Ebi from Hawaii is superb as sashimi and cooked.
    Got some live crayfish from Oregon , clean, big and superb from E-Fish. Live Goose Neck Barnacles, a first for me were superb.
    https://www.e-fish.com/
    For scallops, Togue at Down East Day Boat is superb!!!!
    https://downeastdayboat.com/
    We just got Cape Cod Scallops that were very large, about U10 along with some picked crab. As good as any scallop I have eaten sashimi style and seared. The pasteurized crab you usually commercially purchase might as well be another species as there is not comparison to truly fresh.
    She also has other species from time to time. Get on her mailing list.
    Brown Trading used to be my only source but they went to only order on the website for awhile and i have particular requirements.
    I started out decades ago at Union Fisheries on Randolph.
    Actual bins on the floor with ice shoveled over the fish.
    Low price, but if you knew your fish, very good.
    Went to Steins once, the fish was junk.
    All of the old commercial type fish mongers are gone and now in the Chicago, Dirk’s is it at top pricing.
    -Richard
  • Post #6 - October 10th, 2023, 11:24 am
    Post #6 - October 10th, 2023, 11:24 am Post #6 - October 10th, 2023, 11:24 am
    Other places to consider:

    Captain Alex Seafood
    8874 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles, IL 60714
    Hours:
    Tuesday-Friday 9 AM–4 PM
    Saturday 9 AM–3 PM
    Sunday Closed
    Monday 9 AM–3 PM
    Phone: (847) 803-8833
    Does not sell lobster, because I called once to ask.

    Hagen's Fish Market
    5635 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
    Hours:
    Sunday-Thursday 10 AM–8 PM
    Friday-Saturday 10 AM–10 PM
    Saturday 10 AM–10 PM
    Phone: (773) 283-1944

    The Fishguy Market & Wellfleet
    4423 N Elston Ave · (773) 283-7400

    Chitown Fish and Seafood LLC
    4949 N Elston Ave

    Superior Ocean Produce
    4423 N Elston Ave · (773) 283-8400

    Seafood City Fish Market
    5033 N Elston Ave
    Chicago, IL 60630

    I could look further, but really there is more out there than you may suppose. How good are they? I guess over time we will know.

    Regards,
    CAthy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #7 - October 10th, 2023, 11:36 am
    Post #7 - October 10th, 2023, 11:36 am Post #7 - October 10th, 2023, 11:36 am
    There is also Burhop's at at 1515 Sheridan Road in Plaza Del Lago in Wilmette.
  • Post #8 - October 10th, 2023, 2:52 pm
    Post #8 - October 10th, 2023, 2:52 pm Post #8 - October 10th, 2023, 2:52 pm
    In case anyone is looking for something more “south” than north, McGowan & Sons in Valparaiso is a great seafood-focused gourmet market/deli/wine shop. It reminds me a bit of the short-lived but delicious New England Seafood Company in W. Lakeview, without the restaurant and adding a nicely curated wine and gourmet ingredient selection.

    Everything is wild caught except the 3 varieties of salmon (King Ora, Faroe Island and Black’s Harbor, all harbor caught) and pristine. Lots of daily prepped meal specials, sandwiches (gorgeous lobster roll and crab cake specials), soup and salad options. Definitely worth a stop if you’re in the area.

    And I’ll add another online resource that has evolved over the years but remains a wonderful purveyor of super fresh seafood (salmon, halibut, cod, sablefish, crab, shrimp, and more)—Sitka Seafood Market (formerly known as Sitka Salmon Shares). I’ve been a member for at least 8 years—on the recommendation of folks here, of course—and it remains my primary seafood source. For those that haven’t checked them out lately, they do offer a lot more flexible membership and even single purchase options than in the old days. And they’ve increased the types of seafood offered via partnerships with companies like Downeast Day Boat mentioned earlier in the thread.

    McGowan & Sons
    1607 Burlington Beach Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383
    219-299-2336
    https://mcgowanandsons.com/

    Sitka Seafood Market /Sitka Salmon Shares
    https://sitkaseafoodmarket.com/collections/sitka-seafood-market
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #9 - October 11th, 2023, 2:17 pm
    Post #9 - October 11th, 2023, 2:17 pm Post #9 - October 11th, 2023, 2:17 pm
    Market Fisheries
    7129 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619
    Phone: (773) 483-3233

    Opened in 1957, this seafood market sells catfish & other fresh catches, plus frozen fish & chicken.

    This is on the frontage road of the Dan Ryan expressway. I bought gar there on dare. Shame on me, I did not cook it. Someday I will redeem myself.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #10 - October 11th, 2023, 7:56 pm
    Post #10 - October 11th, 2023, 7:56 pm Post #10 - October 11th, 2023, 7:56 pm
    https://www.empirefishmarket.com/
  • Post #11 - October 12th, 2023, 7:38 pm
    Post #11 - October 12th, 2023, 7:38 pm Post #11 - October 12th, 2023, 7:38 pm
    I don't see it mentioned here, but you should try Robert's (Kosher) Fish Market, on Devon in West Rogers Park. Old school with mostly Freshwater fish. Only open M-F from 7-5pm, so can be a pain to get to outside normal working hours.

    Robert's Fish Market
    2916 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
    (773)-761-3424
  • Post #12 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:22 pm
    Post #12 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:22 pm Post #12 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:22 pm
    Not wanting to start a new thread for this, but I am looking for a good purveyor of large scallops. Looking for the Northside; I always think Whole Foods will have them but have been disappointed so far.
  • Post #13 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:37 pm
    Post #13 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:37 pm Post #13 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:37 pm
    Northcenter Joe wrote:Not wanting to start a new thread for this, but I am looking for a good purveyor of large scallops. Looking for the Northside; I always think Whole Foods will have them but have been disappointed so far.


    We get our large scallops from Dirk's.
  • Post #14 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:42 pm
    Post #14 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:42 pm Post #14 - November 2nd, 2023, 8:42 pm
    annak wrote:
    Northcenter Joe wrote:Not wanting to start a new thread for this, but I am looking for a good purveyor of large scallops. Looking for the Northside; I always think Whole Foods will have them but have been disappointed so far.


    We get our large scallops from Dirk's.

    Definitely. The website says they have large dry pack scallops in stock daily. But if there’s something specific you want, call because there’s a lot of other stuff they can get.
  • Post #15 - November 2nd, 2023, 9:11 pm
    Post #15 - November 2nd, 2023, 9:11 pm Post #15 - November 2nd, 2023, 9:11 pm
    Best large scallops I’ve ever had are from here: https://downeastdayboat.com/
    "Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." Miles Kington
  • Post #16 - November 3rd, 2023, 3:44 am
    Post #16 - November 3rd, 2023, 3:44 am Post #16 - November 3rd, 2023, 3:44 am
    east
    boudreaulicious wrote:Best large scallops I’ve ever had are from here: https://downeastdayboat.com/


    Togue started Down East a few years ago and we have been purchasing regularly from her.
    The scallops are sashimi quality. When they reach you, they less than two days removed from the sea. The last batch from Cape Cod were simply the best I have EVER had. Usually Cape are small but these were medium. I used to get my Day Boat from Browne Trading but then they went to a Japanese frozen scallop.
    You can get those at Mitsuwa. Not even close!
    I purchase a few #’s at a time, sashimi first day, seared third day an freeze the rest in meal portions. They freeze fine.
    _Richard
  • Post #17 - January 14th, 2025, 12:01 pm
    Post #17 - January 14th, 2025, 12:01 pm Post #17 - January 14th, 2025, 12:01 pm
    Update:
    Togue has become the scallop ‘Queen’ of Maine!

    https://www.toguebrawn.com/

    The Maine season starts December 1 and since she was not shipping fresh during the Holidays, my shipment arrived Friday.
    I purchase 5#’s for the price break and they freeze very nicely.
    I like U10’s (10 to the #) but those usually go to restaurants and command a premium price.
    Togue did ship me a # of U10’s and the rest while larger than Bay Scallops, were medium.
    Any of them can be eaten raw.
    I sliced some U10’s and had them with fresh Sudachi I got at Mitsuwa.
    The others had them cooked rare in butter.
    We had the smaller ones in a Mexican Cocktail Sunday.
    Fresh lime/lemon, tomatoes. onion, avocado and cilantro with a hint of finely chopped Serrano.
    Rough chop each scallop into 4 pieces and marinate for at least 6 hours.
    Serve with Queso Fresco and hot sauce of your choice with Tortilla chips.
    We had Nicaraguan beer, Tequila ‘Ocho’ as an accompaniment
    -Richard

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