Down by the docks

After moving up to Chicago, I used to drive a lot to Indiana, visit the good ol Alma mater catch up with a few old friends, enjoy the $1 pints, and reminisce the days when we didn't have a care in the world. I digress; in my pursuit to not get into a fateful accident with the morons who couldn't drive well on the free way or Chicago's traffic, I was forced to at times take the inner streets. One fateful, yet eventful night, my craving for some fried food, though not "fast fried food" led me to make a Pitt stop at Calumet Fisheries...thanks to the 5th person I asked randomly on the street. The other 4 suggested "church's chicken". I won't hold it against them :)

Located on the corner of Calumet and 95th, just before the bridge that arches itself over the calumet river, lies a shack....literally. A small 10 by 20ft that has existed as long as the docks and the industrial steel mills that have dominated the south side of Chicago since the 20's. Established in 1928, they have catered and mastered the dieing art of smoking fish, along side with their double battered smelts or catfish, which is served with their ever secretive hot sauce or mild and slightly sweeter sauce for those who can't handle the good stuff ;)

They actually have a smoke house, in the back, which has real smoke coming from it. There is always a guy tending to it, with cherry wood and white oak logs, and always staying true to the art of smoking meat. Staying true to their one and only location, bordering between Indiana and Illinois, they have managed to stay there through the ups and downs of the south side. Their ever faithful and loyal customers, that come in for the smoked chubs or the salmon smoked with fish oil and whole black peppercorns and garlic or their ever famous smoked shrimp, a poor man's lobster. Never dry, always moist and tender, perfect for Chicago's ever changing weather, any day of the week.

No white napkins or tablecloths at this joint. Hell, no tables or chairs either. During the summer you park your car, along the line of cars parked along the curb, as you open your door, take a seat, and enjoy your meal by the curb. Its amazing how there is no other place remotely close to the quality and the effort that is put into this one and only smoke joint.

The next time you think of the south side, apart from the sox stadium, a.k.a Comiskey Park, a.k.a US Cell field...think about making a stop at the docks, where the smoked fish is always a Home Run. :)