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battered and fried fish on a bed of fries.
Big & Little’s has been crushing the fish and chips game for years.
Big & Littles

Where to Eat Fish and Chips in Chicago

It doesn’t have to be Lent to enjoy crispy fish and fries

by Ashok Selvam and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new
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Big & Little’s has been crushing the fish and chips game for years.
| Big & Littles
by Ashok Selvam and Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new

It doesn’t have to be Lent for Chicagoans to enjoy fish and chips. There are plenty of variations of the tried and true fish fry, and midwesterners excel at producing perfectly golden filets with gourmet sauces — or tartar if you’re bound by tradition. A few of these pubs and restaurants have special seasonal options, but most allow fish and chips to remain on their menus year-round. So grab a bottle of malt vinegar and go crazy. These are Eater Chicago’s favorite plates of fish and chips.

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Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant

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Lady Gregory’s in Andersonville serves up a fine fish and chips. The haddock is a change from the usual perch, cod, and whiting, and a gluten-free variation is available. Order online here.

5260 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-5050
(773) 271-5050

Also featured in:

The Atlantic Bar & Grill

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Fans of football (that is, what Americans call soccer) head to this Lincoln Square Irish pub to enjoy a pint and some fish and chips while catching a match. Call to order takeout.

5062 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 506-7090
(773) 506-7090

Also featured in:

Galvin's Public House

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Over in Jefferson Park, Galvin’s is the place to visit for fried fish. The kitchen serves beer-battered Atlantic cod, and it’s the $14 house special on Fridays.

5901 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 205-0570
(773) 205-0570
A plate of fried fish and fries.
Galvin’s opts for a classic fish fry.
Galvin’s Public House [Official Photo]

Hagen's Fish Market

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Family owned since 1966, Hagen's sells deep-fried seafood by the pound (weighed pre-frying). Choose between lake perch and smelt for fish and fries and tater tots for the chips. The store is takeout-only, but there are tables and chairs outside in better weather.

5635 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 283-1944
(773) 283-1944

The Globe Pub

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The favorite pub of football fans serves a beer-battered cod that satisfies all comers. Online ordering is available here.

1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 871-3757
(773) 871-3757
A plate of fried, battered fish with peas and sauces.
European sports bar the Globe boasts a solid fish fry.
The Globe Pub [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

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Basant does fish and chips Indian style, covering its cod in a spice rub before frying and then serving it up with a side of spicy fries. Order online here.

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 770-3616
(773) 770-3616

Also featured in:

BIG & little's Restaurant

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At BIG & little’s three fast-casual locations in River North, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, diners can order a sizable piece of beer-battered cod. The batter-to-fish ratio is perfect and the simple seasoning is not too zesty. Carryout and delivery ordering is available here.

1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 857-6677
(773) 857-6677

Also featured in:

Duke Of Perth

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One of Chicago’s most popular fish fries is at Duke of Perth, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays when the beer-battered cod is all-you-can-eat (dine-in only). Call for takeout orders.

2913 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-1741
(773) 477-1741

Also featured in:

Owen & Engine

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The pandemic forced the owners of Owen & Engine to close while making sense of the new world. Fortunately for Chicago diners, the staff didn’t quit for this restaurant that serves upscale British pub food with farm-to-table sourcing. The fish and chips is back; battered haddock served with a super-charged malt vinegar aioli. 

2700 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-2930
(773) 235-2930

Also featured in:

Fish Bar Old Town

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Fish Bar, which was founded by DMK, has opened a second location on Wells Street in Old Town with a new franchisee. The restaurant offers a fish and chips set with beer-battered cod and slaw. 

1529 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 643-0450
(312) 643-0450

Tuman's Tap and Grill

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In recent years, Tuman’s, the popular dive bar, has added more craft beer to its taps. This bar serves underrated food. For Lent, they’ve added fish and chips for every Friday through April 7. It’s beer-battered cod with hand-cut fries.

2159 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 782-1400
(773) 782-1400

River Roast

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River Roast fans know that this downtown restaurant goes big, and for Lent Fridays, they’re offering a whole-fried dorade with malted-vinegar fries for $45.

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

Also featured in:

The Gage

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The paper cone presentation does not affect the taste of the Gage's fish and chips, but it's a fun homage to the British tradition of serving the dish in newspaper. The fish varies from day to day, but the kitchen always uses Irish super stout Guinness in the batter. Order online here.

24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243
(312) 372-4243
Pieces of fried, battered fish wrapped in newspaper
The Gage goes classic when it comes to fish and chips.
The Gage [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Pleasant House Pub

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Pleasant House continued its Friday-only fish fry after relocating to Pilsen in 2016. Staff use Lake Superior whitefish and beer in the batter. An underrated aspect of the restaurant is its sauces: the lemon-caper tartar sauce is a terrific complement to the fish. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.

2119 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 523-7437
(773) 523-7437

Also featured in:

Troha's Chicken & Shrimp House

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Open since 1917, this Little Village institution specializes in fried foods. The menu caters to different tastes by offering four types of fish: Cod, perch, and smelt, plus a Lenten special on whiting, two pounds for $23. Order here for carryout.

4151 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 521-7847
(773) 521-7847

More in Maps

Honey 1 BBQ

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The folks at Honey 1 BBQ in Bronzeville put a Southern spin on fried fish by using cornbread batter and dousing it with hot sauce (if desired).

746 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 285-9455
(773) 285-9455

Also featured in:

Surf's Up South Shore

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Surf’s Up specialty is fried lobster and Hennessy sauced chicken wings, but there’s plenty of fish variety: fried perch, catfish, and whiting, all with cornbread coating.

2236 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 891-5544
(773) 891-5544

Also featured in:

Kingfish Seafood

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Let's show some love to the bottom-dwelling catfish, which Chicagoans and others in much of the landlocked Midwest have come to respect. Kingfish, in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, offers a golden-brown version, along with perch, whitefish, and more.

413 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619
(413) 371-7878
(413) 371-7878

Calumet Fisheries

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Though it’s best known for smoked seafood, this little South Side shack balances its menu with wonderfully fried fish and shrimp coated in a family recipe batter. The James Beard Foundation deemed the business an American Classic in 2010.

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
(773) 933-9855

Also featured in:

Horse Thief Hollow

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Horse Thief Hollow is one of Chicago’s best brewpubs, and every Friday during Lent, it serves fried fish two ways: with parsnip puree and shaved fennel salad or the classic preparation with fries, both equally satisfying with the cold adult beverages. If only someone could find one here...

10426 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-2739
(773) 779-2739

Also featured in:

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Lady Gregory's Irish Bar & Restaurant

5260 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Lady Gregory’s in Andersonville serves up a fine fish and chips. The haddock is a change from the usual perch, cod, and whiting, and a gluten-free variation is available. Order online here.

5260 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-5050
(773) 271-5050

The Atlantic Bar & Grill

5062 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Fans of football (that is, what Americans call soccer) head to this Lincoln Square Irish pub to enjoy a pint and some fish and chips while catching a match. Call to order takeout.

5062 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 506-7090
(773) 506-7090

Galvin's Public House

5901 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630

Over in Jefferson Park, Galvin’s is the place to visit for fried fish. The kitchen serves beer-battered Atlantic cod, and it’s the $14 house special on Fridays.

5901 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 205-0570
(773) 205-0570
A plate of fried fish and fries.
Galvin’s opts for a classic fish fry.
Galvin’s Public House [Official Photo]

Hagen's Fish Market

5635 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60634

Family owned since 1966, Hagen's sells deep-fried seafood by the pound (weighed pre-frying). Choose between lake perch and smelt for fish and fries and tater tots for the chips. The store is takeout-only, but there are tables and chairs outside in better weather.

5635 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
(773) 283-1944
(773) 283-1944

The Globe Pub

1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

The favorite pub of football fans serves a beer-battered cod that satisfies all comers. Online ordering is available here.

1934 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 871-3757
(773) 871-3757
A plate of fried, battered fish with peas and sauces.
European sports bar the Globe boasts a solid fish fry.
The Globe Pub [Official Photo]

Basant Modern Indian Restaurant

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613

Basant does fish and chips Indian style, covering its cod in a spice rub before frying and then serving it up with a side of spicy fries. Order online here.

1939 W Byron St, Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 770-3616
(773) 770-3616

BIG & little's Restaurant

1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

At BIG & little’s three fast-casual locations in River North, Lakeview, and Lincoln Park, diners can order a sizable piece of beer-battered cod. The batter-to-fish ratio is perfect and the simple seasoning is not too zesty. Carryout and delivery ordering is available here.

1034 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 857-6677
(773) 857-6677

Duke Of Perth

2913 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657

One of Chicago’s most popular fish fries is at Duke of Perth, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays when the beer-battered cod is all-you-can-eat (dine-in only). Call for takeout orders.

2913 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 477-1741
(773) 477-1741

Owen & Engine

2700 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

The pandemic forced the owners of Owen & Engine to close while making sense of the new world. Fortunately for Chicago diners, the staff didn’t quit for this restaurant that serves upscale British pub food with farm-to-table sourcing. The fish and chips is back; battered haddock served with a super-charged malt vinegar aioli. 

2700 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-2930
(773) 235-2930

Fish Bar Old Town

1529 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60611

Fish Bar, which was founded by DMK, has opened a second location on Wells Street in Old Town with a new franchisee. The restaurant offers a fish and chips set with beer-battered cod and slaw. 

1529 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 643-0450
(312) 643-0450

Tuman's Tap and Grill

2159 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

In recent years, Tuman’s, the popular dive bar, has added more craft beer to its taps. This bar serves underrated food. For Lent, they’ve added fish and chips for every Friday through April 7. It’s beer-battered cod with hand-cut fries.

2159 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 782-1400
(773) 782-1400

River Roast

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654

River Roast fans know that this downtown restaurant goes big, and for Lent Fridays, they’re offering a whole-fried dorade with malted-vinegar fries for $45.

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

The Gage

24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

The paper cone presentation does not affect the taste of the Gage's fish and chips, but it's a fun homage to the British tradition of serving the dish in newspaper. The fish varies from day to day, but the kitchen always uses Irish super stout Guinness in the batter. Order online here.

24 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 372-4243
(312) 372-4243
Pieces of fried, battered fish wrapped in newspaper
The Gage goes classic when it comes to fish and chips.
The Gage [Official Photo]

Pleasant House Pub

2119 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608

Pleasant House continued its Friday-only fish fry after relocating to Pilsen in 2016. Staff use Lake Superior whitefish and beer in the batter. An underrated aspect of the restaurant is its sauces: the lemon-caper tartar sauce is a terrific complement to the fish. Carryout and delivery orders can be placed here.

2119 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 523-7437
(773) 523-7437

Troha's Chicken & Shrimp House

4151 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623

Open since 1917, this Little Village institution specializes in fried foods. The menu caters to different tastes by offering four types of fish: Cod, perch, and smelt, plus a Lenten special on whiting, two pounds for $23. Order here for carryout.

4151 W 26th St, Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 521-7847
(773) 521-7847

Related Maps

Honey 1 BBQ

746 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653

The folks at Honey 1 BBQ in Bronzeville put a Southern spin on fried fish by using cornbread batter and dousing it with hot sauce (if desired).

746 E 43rd St, Chicago, IL 60653
(773) 285-9455
(773) 285-9455

Surf's Up South Shore

2236 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60649

Surf’s Up specialty is fried lobster and Hennessy sauced chicken wings, but there’s plenty of fish variety: fried perch, catfish, and whiting, all with cornbread coating.

2236 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 891-5544
(773) 891-5544

Kingfish Seafood

413 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619

Let's show some love to the bottom-dwelling catfish, which Chicagoans and others in much of the landlocked Midwest have come to respect. Kingfish, in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, offers a golden-brown version, along with perch, whitefish, and more.

413 E 71st St, Chicago, IL 60619
(413) 371-7878
(413) 371-7878

Calumet Fisheries

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617

Though it’s best known for smoked seafood, this little South Side shack balances its menu with wonderfully fried fish and shrimp coated in a family recipe batter. The James Beard Foundation deemed the business an American Classic in 2010.

3259 E 95th St, Chicago, IL 60617
(773) 933-9855
(773) 933-9855

Horse Thief Hollow

10426 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643

Horse Thief Hollow is one of Chicago’s best brewpubs, and every Friday during Lent, it serves fried fish two ways: with parsnip puree and shaved fennel salad or the classic preparation with fries, both equally satisfying with the cold adult beverages. If only someone could find one here...

10426 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643
(773) 779-2739
(773) 779-2739

Related Maps