Reviews - Half Shell
Reviews summary
The Half Shell restaurant offers an outdoor dining experience with a few disappointments, such as slow service and small portions for a high price. Although some meals like the Grilled Shrimp were not well received due to poor preparation, the overall dining experience seems to have mixed opinions. While some guests praise the phenomenal outdoor seating and excellent seafood quality, others suggest improvements in areas like cleanliness and menu offerings. The charming ambiance and attentive service at Half Shell leave diners with varying impressions, making it a worthwhile spot to give a try despite the limitations like cash-only policy and limited seating. Overall, the restaurant has potential to delight customers with its fresh seafood options and unique sauces.
Was CHRISTOPHER DIXON at Half Shell a mag?
Wow, this is the best hidden gem in the city! The outdoor seating is simply phenomenal, and the menu is truly outstanding! The staff strives for perfection and is incredibly attentive. I can't wait to return! View all feedback.
What Nestore Valentini dislikes about Half Shell:
This evening, I took a family member out for dinner at Half Shell. I ordered the Grilled Shrimp, and I would not recommend this dish. The shrimp were not properly cleaned since they were grilled in their shells. To make matters worse, flies kept landing on my food, and I think they enjoyed it more than I did. Would I eat here again? No. They should clean the shrimp, season them properly, and then grill them. View all feedback.
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Reviews from various users
Last update : 28.02.2026
No waiting area. Friendly owner and staff. Long wait for Valentine's Day, but we'll worth the wait. Medium king crab is a hit!!! Fried scallops and oysters delicious... Everything was amazingly good. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Price per person: $70–80 Recommended dishes: King Crab Legs and Alaskan King Crab Combo, Fried Scallops Kid-friendliness: Does have a kids menu Wheelchair accessibility: none. Have stairs only
We went to The Half Shell For the first time on a Saturday night, it also happened to be Valentine’s Day. They don’t take reservations and it was a long wait, but so well worth it. We had a nice time chatting with some of the other people who were waiting and once we got our food, it was wonderful. I’m a big fan of crabcakes and the ones I had at The Half Shell were perfect. We had appetizers and soup and an entree so we felt the pricing was very reasonable. The service was excellent. This place was founded in 1968 and it still has a similar atmosphere, which we loved. We will definitely be back.. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $60–70
Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
Last update : 23.01.2024
Half Shell is a throwback, sort of divey but nice. Old school decor and really good seafood, what more could you ask for? It is still CASH ONLY so prep for that. The shrimp, scallops and clams are only fried but there are tons of other choices. Portionsare more than generous. Get something unique like the oyster shooters. With cocktails lunch for two was just over a hundredbucks.
The customer service was great and the crab cake appetizer was delicious. However, the fried jumbo shrimp didn?t have any seasoning so they were just ok. Nothing to brag about.
FANTASTIC!!! At first glance, this restaurant seems quite unassuming, but if you know, you know! It has been a staple in the area for decades, and I'm new to the experience! I will definitely be returning. You can enjoy the patio or head inside — whether you get a table or find a seat at the bar, you'll have a great time! The drinks were fine, but I highly recommend the clam chowder. I noticed several delicious shrimp dinners being served, featuring large shrimp paired with the usual fries. However, the highlight of my visit was definitely the KING CRAB LEGS! If you love crab, you absolutely have to try them. I can't wait to come back. If you’re looking for excellent seafood in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere, this is the place for you! Just a heads up — it’s cash only!
The king crab, fried shrimp, and shrimp and corn chowder were fantastic, and the prices were reasonable too!
The clam chowder, fried calamari, and oysters were delicious! We dined outside, and the lights created a charming atmosphere for our dinner. I really enjoyed the blueberry mule too! Parking was convenient with easy street options. However, my only complaint is that the grilled shrimp with garlic sauce was overcooked, and one of the shrimp had such a gritty texture that I couldn't swallow it for fear of getting sick. The service was frustrating; it wasn’t just slow, but it felt like the staff lacked awareness. We were never asked if we wanted another drink. There was a woman outside clearing tables who seemed extremely focused on her task, but it felt uncomfortable that she stared at us without acknowledging our presence. She didn't respond to my thank-yous, just those of my partner. It was quite odd. Despite the service issues, I would definitely come back for the food!
Last update : 23.09.2023
Happened by this “hole in the wall” while walking around the neighborhood near our hotel. Indoor outdoor seating but indoor is down steep stairs so not handicap friendly. Great fresh oysters crab. Friendly good service. What’s not to love?!
Absolutely dinner destination in Chicago. Easy to locate, king crab legs are great. Cash only. Great place!
The crab is very reasonably priced and delicious. It’s for sure our go to sea food place in the neighborhood. My go to dish is usually the perch, light breading and perfectly friedWe love bringing friends and family here when they come to visit. Cash only!!
So this is a hidden seafood bar and restaurant with a lot of charm. Positives were great seafood choices, great energy, attentive service and delicious food. Negatives were high prices on crab choices, Cash Only, and very limited seating. The place has a great vibe about it so without the surprises of the cash policy and the prices it would have been better. Definitely worth trying again, though, now that I know exactly what to expect. Give it a try. I'd recommend it. Fun place.
This evening, I took a family member out for dinner at Half Shell. I ordered the Grilled Shrimp, and I would not recommend this dish. The shrimp were not properly cleaned since they were grilled in their shells. To make matters worse, flies kept landing on my food, and I think they enjoyed it more than I did. Would I eat here again? No. They should clean the shrimp, season them properly, and then grill them.
Last update : 19.06.2023
CASH ONLY (inside). I had the Shrimp Po' Boy, which was absolutely delicious, and I would gladly order it again. I also tried six oysters, and they were quite good as well. The staff was friendly and provided great service.
I found this restaurant thanks to my mother. It's located in the basement, and the sign is quite hard to spot. They only accept cash (though there's an ATM in the back). The atmosphere is...
I placed an order for two Shrimp Po' Boys and an order of the Peace Calamari. They informed me it would take about 40 minutes for my order to be ready. When I arrived...
Last update : 14.12.2017
I was fortunate enough to discover this place while exploring the restaurants in the area.
I was really looking forward to enjoying some crab legs and cakes when we came here to celebrate my brother's birthday.
After living in the neighborhood for years and never having the chance to try it before moving to a different area, I finally decided to check out Half Shell.
