Fahlstrom's Fish Market

Finally made a visit to Fallstrom's (or as I like to call it, the real Glen's diner). Food was great, maybe even better than it was at Glen's. For some reason the market was closed so they had no fish market specials on the board other than a crab roll, but I was fine going with the halibut anyway so no complaints there.

Only complaint and its kinda a big one....the place is soooo loud you literally can't hear the people at your table unless you are screaming. Bad accoustics? Too many tables crowed together? Whatever it is, its real bad when its crowded.

Also, Glen, if you're reading this....don't be afraid to smile a little bit when you're patrolling the floor. I've met you a couple times at the old place and found you to be very nice and easy to talk to, but you were walking around Saturday night with the look of a prison guard doing his rounds. Along with smiling, maybe stopping at some tables and asking how everything is? I wanted to stop you and say hello and congratulate you on the new place, but the look on your face wasn't very inviting so I took a pass.

1258 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 281-6000

I've only eaten there once, but the meal and service were both very good. Probably better than the old Glenn's and definitely better than the current G's, though I still like the old place, too. I agree the noise is bad: the room is really acoustically lively. And parking is pretty scarce, though my server said Fletcher, a block south of Belmont, is a good place to look for a space.

The one time I ate there every single piece of fish and seafood the 5 of us ordered was way overcooked. I haven't been back.

=R=

I've had a better food experience than Ron. One especially memorable dish was some steamed mussels in a delicious garlicky broth. The mussels were fresh and flavorful, and the broth was "good to the last drop" good.

I've also had pleasant exchanges with Glen on two occasions there (one at some length), so my experience differs from shakes' on that score.

But on one thing we agree. The noise is unpleasantly loud when the place is full. It's not the very worst I've experienced in a restaurant, but probably tied for third. Bad enough that you have to really lean in to hear your dining companions; bad enough that it's just not a fun place to be. Glen needs to do something about that.

I stopped in a couple months ago after reading a few reviews about the "crabster" sandwich and I would definitely recommend it. I'm hoping to get back to try some of the other options. I sat at the bar and it was unclear both to me and the staff if I could order off the chalkboard specials or not. Seemed a little odd that even they weren't sure, but it is what it is. It was also a little confusing as they had a separate menu for the "market" side as opposed to the dining room side, I'm not sure if that's still the case. Definitely one of the more confusing restaurant experiences I've had, but I will definitely return. Pretty nice beer selection as well.

Here's the menu from this past Wednesday:





I had the calamari and the king crab crabcakes. Both were very good. Nothing was overcooked.

If it's like Glen's (and it looks precisely the same, down to the fish preps and handwriting), the "chalkboard menu" will not change, maybe ever.

JeffB wrote:If it's like Glen's (and it looks precisely the same, down to the fish preps and handwriting), the "chalkboard menu" will not change, maybe ever.

Aren't soft shell crabs seasonal?

nsxtasy wrote:

JeffB wrote:If it's like Glen's (and it looks precisely the same, down to the fish preps and handwriting), the "chalkboard menu" will not change, maybe ever.

Aren't soft shell crabs seasonal?

Not if they're frozen.

=R=

I went to Fahlstrom's a couple times this winter/spring and don't remember seeing soft shell crabs on the menu prior to this. That's one of those dishes that jumps out at me because I love it so much.

My wife and I went to Fahlstrom's for the first time yesterday. In our first experience, we found the food to be much better than the similar dishes at Glen's Diner.

Our starters included the clam chowder and the steamed mussels. I didn't try the chowder but my wife loved it. I found the mussels to be cooked properly and the broth to be tasty. The mussels came with a lot of nicely toasted garlic bread.

For mains, I had the Fried Catfish with cornbread shrimp stuffing and my wife had the Arctic Char. I didn't have the char but my wife liked it a lot. I intentionally chose the catfish because it's the same dish I've had several times at Glen's. The last time I had it at Glen's it was barely edible, being dry and overcooked. The dish at Fahlstrom's was cooked perfectly and the stuffing was moist. There was a hollandaise sauce on top that looked very thick but was actually fine, and it helped to flavor and moisten the fish.

Bottom line for me is that I'll definitely return to Fahlstrom's and will likely not return to Glen's.

John, just out of curiosity--do you mean you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at Glenn's Diner *when Fahlstrom owned it*? Or that you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at the current iteration of Glenn's Diner?

riddlemay wrote:John, just out of curiosity--do you mean you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at Glenn's Diner *when Fahlstrom owned it*? Or that you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at the current iteration of Glenn's Diner?

Sorry, I wasn't clear on that. I was comparing the food at Glenn's Diner today to Fahlstrom's. I believe that's a valid comparison given that the menus are almost identical.

John Danza wrote:

riddlemay wrote:John, just out of curiosity--do you mean you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at Glenn's Diner *when Fahlstrom owned it*? Or that you enjoyed the food at Fahlstrom's more than at the current iteration of Glenn's Diner?

Sorry, I wasn't clear on that. I was comparing the food at Glenn's Diner today to Fahlstrom's. I believe that's a valid comparison given that the menus are almost identical.

I agree. Totally valid comparison. (I also agree with your assessment.)

Relative to the issue brought up about the noise, I didn't notice that as an issue. We were there between 5:00 and 6:30 last night, so it was earlier than a lot of folks might go there. However, the place was at least 80% full, including a few tables in the bar section, and I didn't notice the noise to be an issue and I'm pretty sensitive to that (I really hate excessively noisy restaurants). We were along the window, which might have benefited us as well.

John Danza wrote:Relative to the issue brought up about the noise, I didn't notice that as an issue.

Or maybe, Mr. Danza, they knew who the boss was when you walked in.

whocanitbenow wrote:

John Danza wrote:Relative to the issue brought up about the noise, I didn't notice that as an issue.

Or maybe, Mr. Danza, they knew who the boss was when you walked in.

Yeah, that's not very likely!

Fahlstrom's Fresh Fish Market to open in Rosemont entertainment district

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2016 ... 160519701/

Dave148 wrote:Fahlstrom's Fresh Fish Market to open in Rosemont entertainment district

Close to Boston Fish Market in Des Plaines and Fish Time in Park Ridge. Our new seafood district!

Had a late lunch at Fahlstrom's Belmont location on Monday afternoon.

One would think that during slow times the pacing would be good, instead I was served my cup of gumbo, then in two minutes I was served my sandwich.

The gumbo: so-so, enjoyable, nothing to go out of one's way for

Smoked Sturgeon BLT - chopped up smoked sturgeon added to traditional white bread BLT. An enjoyable sandwich, very good quality bacon.

They totally screwed up my to-go order, it was supposed to be a lobster roll like sandwich made with king crab, instead I was given a crab cake sandwich which was nothing special.

Fahlstrom's is near a bud's home so likely I'll try again.

The seafood salads are a strength of Fahlstrom's, although just about everything I've had has been delicious.

BLT & Grilled Shrimp

Belmont Ave. Seafood Salad

A (hopefully) helpful bump after 1.5 years of silence about Fahlstrom’s, to concur with those who liked Glenn’s Diner and enjoyed Fahlstrom’s even more. Last night, we came away from our first foray into Fahlstrom’s full of food and firmly fixed to return – soon and often.

Excellent service, from our quickly-honored reservation and friendly greeting to the helpful and attentive server. Congenial room with a noise level that, while energetic, did not prevent easy conversation among four gray-hairs with only one set of hearing aids.

The highlight of this very enjoyable evening was the food. Both the menu and the execution were reminiscent of Glenn’s Diner, but at a higher level. The varieties of fish and the ways they were used made it difficult to decide from the many attractive options.

We had Coconut Shrimp and Smoked Trout Dip, which showed off the in-house smoking skills touted on the menu. Jambalaya was made with cornbread (instead of rice), an excellent base for the Andouille sausage, the crawfish tails and the perfectly-cooked shrimp. Scallops, Whitefish and Salmon were also cooked perfectly, even to the point where the finfish flesh was moist, yet had crispy (and very tasty) skin. It even converted one Whitefish non-eater (there are so many tastier things to order in a seafood restaurant) to seriously consider ordering it next time.

Unhurried lingering over excellent Key Lime and Pecan pie for dessert. Easy parking in the next block at an indoor garage (with reduced, validated parking; read the menu). What’s not to like?

Thanks for the reminder. It's been a while since I've been there and have to get back. It's a good place to BYOB as well, but suggest bringing your own stemware.

Great place, one of my favorites. We make it there a few times per year. Literally the only downside to the place is the awful acoustics. Almost impossible to hear people across the table from you and definitely can't hear the wait staff explaining things if they are standing on the other side of the table.

We tend to try and go here before 6pm to beat some of the rush and hopefully the noise level.

Fahlstrom's Fresh Fish Market
1258 W Belmont Ave, Chicago

I have the impression that no matter how good the food served, no restaurant at this address can be profitable until it negotiates use of the strip mall's parking lot just east of the edifice. Would-be ‘first-time’ patrons do not know that that specific parking lot is not for that address.
Negotiating this should be easier in 2020, as a couple of the businesses in that mall have shut down.

It's sad when anyone closes their business. All their work and dreams... that said two of the worst dining experiences I had last yr were there. May be more than the parking.

Jazzfood wrote:It's sad when anyone closes their business. All their work and dreams... that said two of the worst dining experiences I had last yr were there. May be more than the parking.

I never hated Fahlstrom's (except for the truly excessive noise) but I agree parking wasn't the problem. Free parking was available in the garage across the street, and they had clear signage to that effect. And street parking around there wasn't difficult (if not necessarily free.)

I'm bummed. I went there a few times when it opened but was unimpressed. And then ignored it until about 18 months ago. We were in search of mussels at someplace different, and an online search suggested Fahlstrom's. We went and our minds were changed -- and we got into a habit of sitting at the bar about once a week and getting one of their conservas platter. You'd pick one variety of tinned seafood (sardines in olive oil, smoked trout pate, etc.) and get a platter of bread, sliced ham, shards of cheeses, a jam, pickled onions (I think), maybe some brie and nuts? We moved about 9 months ago so haven't been there in ages and were looking forward to a return visit sooner rather than later. Wish they'd kept the seafood counter open -- during the pandemic we've lamented several times that we would have bought fish at Fahlstrom's instead of WF, Dirk's and Capt. Alex's.

Can’t comment on the food quality as I never got around to trying Fahlstrom’s, so perhaps the owner’s letter above is just sour grapes — but I suspect what he says, about restaurants being simply unable to cover expenses and keep customers and staff safe, may very well be true.