Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop

There are numerous Dirk's recommendations on LTH, for example:

SASHIMI grade fish
Best Fish Markets in Chicago ?? [and beyond]
Dry Scallops
America, Fish Yeah!
It's Copper River Salmon Season
Good time to buy lobster at Dirk's
Is Whole Foods really the best place to get fish in Chicago?
Where can I find Sea Urchins and Squid Ink

However, it might be helpful if Dirk's had a dedicated thread of its own, so here you go. Anyway, Dirk's immediately comes to mind because while there today purchasing fish to prepare for dinner, I noticed a lone, beautiful sea urchin which Dirk told me he got directly from the fisherman who caught it off the coast of San Diego. Having had sea urchin from this area, I can tell you that it is quite stellar. Dirk says he usually gets the urchins in Tuesday or Wednesday, but of course you can call to special order. The one there today was $18 (and they'll cut it in half for you if you're not up to the task).

There is a referenced to Dirk's in the sea urchin post referenced above, but hopefully you'll find this fresh update and dedicated thread helpful.

Dirk's Fish and Gourmet Shop
2070 N. Clybourn Ave.
Chicago, IL
Phone: 773.404.3475
M-F 10am-7pm
Sat. 9am-6pm
Sun. 10am-5pm

Great quality fish and seafood, but even more, their service is stellar. As a small business owner, my highest compliment to another business is when I sincerely wish I could poach the staff. Which of course, common courtesy does not allow! Wonderful neighborhood resource.

Kismet. I just mentioned Dirk's to friends over dinner a couple of hours ago. The husband wanted Dover Sole.

LTH,

Not a lot of action on Dirk's, which is in my opinion the best place for all things fresh seafood in Chicago, thought I'd post a picture of Dirk's fantastic in-house made gravlax. Silky full of flavor, striated with lovely rich ribbons of fat, simply incredible gravlax.

Sunday breakfast, Dirk's gravlax



Now don't get me wrong, I make a mean gravlax, but Dirk's is a level up. Only cured salmon I've ever had that compares or even exceeds is ronnie_suburban's which is smoked and technically not the same thing.

Kevin Pang, of the Chicago Tribune, also loves Dirk's Gravlax.

Speaking of cured salmon, Steve Dolinsky is wild about H. Forman & Son smoked salmon which is available at newly inducted GNR Kaufman's. I like H. Forman quite a bit, but it is third behind Dirk's and Ronnie's.

Dirk's gravlax, count me a fan!

Hang the shit on, G Wiv -

Are those flecks of salt on the avocado, I see? Excellent close-up photo, imo. Do tell what camera you are rockin for this? Ronnie-Sub and Mhill (I think) better watch out if you are gonna start posting pix like that. And yes, Dirk's rocks.

Seebee, yes, Maldon sea salt.

iPhone 6, but I cleaned the lens before I took the picture.

Thanks, but I don't think Ronnie, Mhill or incite have anything to worry about.

Long time, no bumpage for this thread. Was on my way back from the last Tree-Ripe Citrus peach pickup of the season and decided to stop in to Dirk's to see what looked good for dinner tonight (some very nice looking whitefish filets). This was our first time going on a Saturday when they've got the grill fired up out front. Besides some deliciously zesty and chunky guacamole they plied us with grilled shrimp, swordfish and some melt in your mouth salmon. They wouldn't stop pushing food at us to the point I felt a little guilty for the small purchase we made vs the amount of food we were given. I've always enjoyed the service and quality at Dirk's but today was just over the top - hard to think of a place that makes you more welcome than Dirk's.

As a long time fan and customer of Dirk's, I'd like to offer some tips:

1) They have U10-12 yesso scallops for $29 a pound. Even when I'm not in there to buy 'em, I order one and eat it raw in the store or car. Sweet, umami, perfect. It'll ruin you on other scallops, even among the best sushi restaurants.

2) They always have large head-on shrimp, even if they're not on display.

3) Same-day La Boulangerie baguettes, and croissants.

4) Try the salads. Our two favorites are the salmon dill and the spicy crayfish. Both are great on toast, or you could do lettuce wraps with the crayfish as an appetizer (or use the lid of the plastic container as a spoon and eat in the car).

5) They often have halibut cheeks and skate wings if you want to get those in rotation.


K, bye!

Hey guys, how's it going?



Spiny, can I talk to you for a minute?



Whoops! Sorry 'bout that.

Sweetbread wrote:Hey guys, how's it going?



Spiny, can I talk to you for a minute?



Whoops! Sorry 'bout that.

Best. Post. Ever.

If your urchin doesn't come this way (i.e. off a wooden board), pass.

purchased some first of the season soft shell crabs from Dirks yesterday, big meaty crabs, tasted great !!

Not every food business is hurting these days. Per the NY Times, this has been Dirk's busiest stretch ever:

Back on March 21, the state of Illinois shut down all nonessential businesses. (Seafood shops were deemed essential.) In the nearly six weeks since, Dirk’s Fish has done more business than in any previous six-week period.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:In the nearly six weeks since, Dirk’s Fish has done more business than in any previous six-week period.

Dirk's, deservedly so, and thanks for pointing out the NYT article.

As an aside, don't know if it's impending Mother's Day or a general uptick in business but Joseph's Finest Meats was busy as a three-toed working girl late night at an Iowa truck stop. (Friday, noon)

The Dirk’s story in the NYT article is by Kevin Pang.

Dirk's wrote:Due to one of our backroom employees testing positive to the Covid virus, we are going to close Dirk’s Fish until June 22nd.

All the employees will be tested and not return until they receive a clean bill of health. We will also be doing and deep cleaning and sanitizing of the the shop in the meantime. I would rather close for a few days to be on the safe side. We will be back to regular hours soon. Thank you for your understanding and loyalty!!!