Reviews of Dirk's Fish & Gourmet Shop (Fish Shop)

Emily Z

Super fresh seafood. Came here to get ahi tuna, and though I'll be paying off the credit card bill for years, it was top quality!! The store has a case of seafood salads and other prepared dishes, as well as a small selection of specialty spices, pasta, capers and other products. This should be your go to if you are looking for top of the line seafood in the city.

Curtis Atkinson

Fresh and high quality seafood and a super helpful, friendly staff. Always a great experience when shopping here.

Michael Moody

Outstanding service and crab cakes :)

Daniel Warmuth

This is the place to go in Chicago for your seafood needs. They have an amazing grill out on Saturdays to sample, and wonderful "fish mongers" helping you find the right seafood of your wishes. Sustainable, delicious products with excellent service. Only downside: you'll be spoiled for seafood coming from somewhere else.

Heather Payne

I do consider this place the absolute go-to for anything seafood! In fact, I drive quite a bit out of my way to go here and if I happen to be in the area for errands or whatnot, I never miss an opportunity to stop in. I'm a sucker for mussels and it's just the best deal in town. All of their fish and seafood is fresh and gorgeous. The associates are beyond knowledgeable and helpful. Everyone is so super friendly. They put on great programming and send out regular newsletters. I just think they are the best of the best and they have such a nice neighborhood vibe.

Leanne Ylitalo

Love It! Dirk's should get an award for being super awesome! Amazing fresh fish and seafood. Love the wild salmon in the summer.

Joe Plummer

This store is first rate. The owner is on the premises and everything is clean and well lit. The fish is top notch and the employees are well informed and super helpful. Everything comes together here to make it the best fish store in Chicago hands down.

Patricia Healy

Dirks Seafood is always fresh and you get the best service from their very knowledgeable and friendly staff. On weekends they serve up delicious grilled tastings which they hand out for free. You always have a good time when you go to Dirks!

Anita Jaffe

I went to Dirk's today on a Groupon. I saw that the overall review for the store is very high so I was willing to try it out. I planned on getting salmon which I normally buy at the Jewel. They had farm salmon at two different price points and the lower price point was already sold out (at 10:00 am). The young man helping me assured me the more expensive salmon would "melt in my mouth like butter". I decided to try it out. He also gave me a very basic recipe for cooking the salmon. Well I made it for dinner tonight and it was EXACTLY what he said. I've never tasted anything like it before. My husband was blown away by how good it was. He isn't a huge salmon fan but I think he is now. We will be buying the more expensive salmon from now on - - it is SO worth it.

Gabriel Zacretchi

This place it s a hidden gem beside the fact they have a lot of seafood the also.cook and delivery...5 *

Pat Kelly

Really a fun place to shop for fresh seafood and fish. Incredibly friendly, knowledgeable staff who make shopping there an experience. The marinades and recipes they offer really help complete a fun meal. A tip that I've learned over time shopping there - call a day or two ahead if there is a specific fish you'd like. They might not have it in stock at that very moment, but they can always get it. One final note, their Key Lime Pie is truly next level. Literally better than the stuff I've had down in the Keys! I struggle to find a negative about the store.

Christina Torres

The shrimp tacos and ceviche were so fresh. 1st time at Dirk's and I am not quite savvy on purchasing fish. They are so friendly and not intimidating when answering my questions. Definitely going back.

Larry Baldwin

The selections are of the best quality. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and professional. The fish is the best, the staff treats you right.

Samuel Tan

Really friendly guys offering a great selection of fresh fish. When I was there, they were cooking up some fish and allowing customers to try them. It made for a really delicious snack. The quality of the fish being offered here is top notch, sashimi quality. When you first walk in, you may balk at the prices. However, keep in mind that you probably will be hard pressed to find better quality fish around the area. So you are getting what you pay for. Stop by if you're in the area, you never know what the guys are cooking up!

Dylan Ryan

My girlfriend and I just visited Dirk's for the first time looking for fish to make Sushi, and they had exactly what we wanted. The fish was very fresh, and the staff was extremely nice and helpful, giving us advice on which fish we should buy. Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be going back.

Felicia Richards

They have a great selection of Oysters. If your a fan you gotta check this place out. They also have really good clam chowder. It's full of flavor and they give you lots of full clams in it and Bacon!! The grilled cheese is good but it would be way better if it was on sourdough bread. They have inside seating and nice outdoor seating area. Get here early to Avoid the long line. People start waiting in line 15-20mins before they open. On Saturday they have the farmers market going on so it gets really pack in that area. Earlier the better.

Jonathan Alper

A great store! Fresh fish and seafood galore. Not to be missed.

F A

(Translated by Google) Very frish fish and nice sprites

Kris Henry

Awesome staff, great product. Definitely worth a separate trip from the larger grocery stores.

Amy Ravit Korin

A lovely selection of fresh seafood. They also have a great selection of salads and prepared meals including potpies, soups, and crab cakes. Try the yellowfin tuna, sashimi cut. So good! They have lots of recipes on their websites if you need ideas of how to prepare, i love some of their sauces.

Suzan Pero

My favorite fish shop in town! Fish and sides are fresh and yummy, has the only live lobster tank I've seen in town. They often give samples too.

Christopher Katsulis

For the same price as Whole Foods, you can have seafood that tastes fresh and appears never to have been frozen. Won't be buying much of anything from the sea at Whole Foods any more. Sushi grade fish with zero residue like you find from the competitors. It's worth a try.

Alan Kirsch

Great Fish, Very Fair Prices and an Owner who knows how to treat his customers!

Eva Jertl

Good fresh ingredients. Fast service. Clean environment. It's a poke bar.. nothing to see here beyond what's expected.

Jase Andrews

Incredibly friendly staff. Phenomenal selection. Worth every penny.

Todd Bushman

Awesome sushi! Great service

Wilbert Brown

My wife I went there for my daughter because she wanted some seafood for her birthday. Not only was the quality great but the service was fantastic. Not only was Eugene was a wealth of information he made my daughter feel so special.She goes to school in Atlanta and she said southern hospitality had nothing on him. Thanks you guys for making her birthday magnificent.My thing is, why are you reading this, get down there now

Mark Geistlinger

The most professional and knowledgeable place to buy fish in Chicago. Fresh and unique selection. Top Notch staff that is efficient and well versed in not only the type of fish they sell, but how to prepare it as well. Great place for sandwiches, seafood based off course, and sushi. They have fresh and wonderful desserts, as well as many salads, stocks and soups all made to perfection. Stop in on Saturdays and get free samples of whatever they're grilling up outside. You won't be sorry that you found Dirk's and will become a regular.

Justin Runde

We were at the shop for all of 5 minutes and it was wonderful. They gave us some of their personal stock of nori when none was left on the shelf. Dirk himself offered us shrimp with cocktail sauce to taste and who I presumed to be his wife offered us lobster bisque samples. We were making sushi for the first time and they helped us choose the correct portion and cut of salmon which was fresh as could be. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for seafood.

danthepro22

Excellent place to go. Everyone there was great to me when i used to work at the panera next door. Anytime im in town. Ill always stop here. Top notch place with a friendly and relaxing aptmosphere.

Joshua R

Staff is super friendly, amazing oysters! Highly recommend. Don't forget the keylime pie!

Alex Bishop

Smells like fish

Alisa Klassy

The ONLY place to go for seafood in Chicago. The people at Dirk's are the best too.

Brennan hutson

Best fish in Chicago

Chelsey S

Dirks is the best fish market in Chicago. Prices are reasonable and the selection is great. You can call and place an order and pick it up when you are close to cooking time. I've gotten mussels from here on several occasions and they are really healthy. Dirks even has a lunch special.

Allison Sullivan

Dirk's has the freshest seafood around. Their scallops are wonderful! I also love their assortment of seasonings and sauces to take home and spice up your recipes.

Roman Vovchak

Great place if you ever need any type of fresh fish and advice! Highly recommended!

Eric Trip

I used to come here all the time for the smocked white fish and excellent crab cakes. However, yesterday i went to get some salmon, but walked right out. The store had a very particular fishy stench. I am not sure what this was all about.

david bishaf

Best fish!

Jason Klingler

If you're looking for the best seafood in Chicago, Dirks is the place to go. They also host a themed dinner once a month (low price of $50) where you get to try different dishes. It's highly recommended and make sure to bring along your beverage of choice.

Matt Renfree

Finally stopped in when I had an errand that brought be next door. Ordered a maki roll as a snack, and really enjoyed it. I think the owner himself made it, and he recommended swapping salmon in for the tuna, since it was a better quality. Watched him hand select a beautiful filet from the case and cut off a massive chunk for the roll. Glad I took the suggestion. The salmon was incredible and the rest of the ingredients were super fresh. The rice was pretty good, but I couldn't fault them -I came in 20 mins before closing. An unexpected highlight was the pickled ginger, which had a beautiful texture and a nice, bright flavor. I'll certainly be back once grilling season is in full swing. They really knew their stuff.

Dan Bourbeau

Great fish spot, convenient to lots of other shops.

Marshall Slutsky

Too pricey

Lane Kometani

Dirk and Terry Fucik are very nice and knowledgable in their trade of culinary and freshness and quality of the fish and seafood. Cooking and sushi classes are great. They are also an endorser of the sustainable seafood cause.

Mila K.

delicious fish! i have made yummy sushi rolls with their fish bit do not get fish on sunday

Tom A

An excellent independent fish store. They have one of the best smoked White Fish Spreads ever.!

Benoit Jacob

Best fish market in town for quality, service and freshness

Natalie Quam

To be honest, I have an infatuation with this place. Not only are the people who work here fun and enjoyable they often give us samples of things and way more information about fish than I wanted. The price could drive most people away but seriously, some of the best fish I've had in my life. I've cooked almost everything they normally sell at this point. Their ahi tuna is always perfect and fresh, swordfish tender but firm, the shrimp always flavorful, and just everything is amazing. You pay for quality and I never walk out with less than $50 worth of seafood. They give you free lemons when you purchase and they absolutely love repeat customers. I've never felt so appreciated as a customer. Honestly if they had some sort of club punchcard thing or lower priced fish I'd probably just eat fish from here every day of my life. If you want something high end restaurant quality, this is where you go.

Tim Toner

OUTRAGEOUS PRICING! I thought Wholefoods was expensive, but I just went to this store and paid $9 for two tomatoes. What a RIP OFF. Now you might be thinking "that's just because you're buying tomatoes at a fish store", but their fish is priced with the same audacity. First of all, they weigh and charge for the fish BEFORE they gut them. Very shady... And this is on top of already very elevated prices. I just paid $42 for two pieces of fish that fed two people. I'm very frustrated about this place.

Ryan Hase

Loved it. Fish was fantastic. Staff was friendly, funny, and quick. My favorite spot for fish in Chicago.

Jenny Novakovic

Absolute love this place. Seafood is always super fresh and best quality

bill Fuhrmann

We are from Madison WI and stumbled across this goldmine Saturday while they were cooking out front in a green egg. Very friendly group of staff members amazing samples. We had there crab cake sandwich which was best crab cake we had ever had! All there fish looked amazing but being out of town this trip not prepared we could not take any home with us. Key lime pie is also best we have ever had and made from family recipie! We will bring a cooler next trip for sure and this is a must stop seafood shop. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Peter Aiura

This has got to be one of the greatest fish places in Chicago. Everything there is top quality; their suppliers are always very aware of environmental impact. Every saturday, someone is outside in front on the grill/smoker making some variation of deliciousness that they offer inside. Every single one of the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful: the type of person that makes you want to come back for that reason alone. I come there every weekend to pick up fish for sushi, and they have yet to disappoint! After growing up in Japan, I pretty much gave up on the idea of finding top grade sushi in Chicago, but these guys continue to impress! It's a one-stop-shop for me: they have the fish, the sushi rice, the nori, and even accouterments like sesame, pickled ginger, and tobiko! The last time I was in, I tried one of their Salmon burgers while I waited; it was the best fish sandwich I have ever had! For only 6 or 7 dollars, it was definitely a great value!

Benjamin Vance

I’ve always wanted to stop at this place and try it because I love seafood. I stopped by this past Saturday and it was awesome. The we’re grilling in front of the place and giving free samples. They were sooooooo good. I still ordered shrimp tacos but I couldn’t stop eating the grilled stuff. I felt bad eating so much so I went inside and bought lobster salad, it was great. Also bought crawfish salad great to.

Elsa Fennema

We picked up two lobsters to celebrate our 53rd anniversary and we are elated. The lobsters were cooked to perfection and oh so good. Our lunch of lobster roll and cole slaw was delightfully tasty. Our maki and soft shelled crab await. Thanks to our helper behind the counter. We will be back.