An Ode to a Nautical Legend

Few institutions can boast legacy status by the age of 30. Beyonce and Shaw’s Crab House are a couple exceptions. The latter is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Chicago, where the River North seafood haunt has become a venerable keystone in the Midwest. The restaurant is as popular today as it has been for decades, drawing in hordes of seafood lovers to its rollicking oyster bar and its more formal dining room.

Such longevity in an industry infamously plagued by short-lived businesses is an impressive feat, something that can be chocked up in this case to all the pioneering gravitas Shaw’s boldly exhibited from day one. The restaurant made a splash in River North before the neighborhood was the cultural epicenter it is today, in a section of the neighborhood tucked off the main drag and nestled alongside an underpass. Shaw’s proved that fund and good dining need not be wallet-crushing. It broke ground in ways that few institutions can, and now it’s deservedly celebrating its legacy with a handful of anniversary events in the coming months.

On January 18, Shaw’s hosts a four-course crab dinner showcasing their namesake ingredient in all its nautical glory. The menu is basically the world summit of crab, featuring everything from Alaskan king crab and Florida stone crab to Louisiana blue crab and Washington Dungeness. Wines will be paired with each course.

Next, Shaw’s serves up oysters and cocktails for a special fete on February 22. Guest mixologists from throughout Chicago will be on hand to shake up special cocktails to pair with five different oysters from around the country.

Then on April 2, Shaw’s will welcome chefs from The Publican and GT Fish & Oyster to help celebrate Seattle restaurateur Renee Erickson’s book, A Boat, A Whale and a Walrus.

Shaw’s Crab House
21 E. Hubbard Street, Chicago
(312) 527-2722
Website