For the last 22 years, the boxes of lobsters, octopus and swordfish have been a constant at the Boston Fish Market. But the owners moved the East Coast business close to O'Hare International Airport and kept the name.
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"We wanted to bring the Mediterranean hospitality back to Chicago. The fresh fish," said owner Louis Psihogios.
No question. It's a 24-hour operation, shipping all over the country. But this warehouse connects to a kitchen, where you can have just about anything prepared for lunch or dinner.
"Red snapper, grouper, branzini, borata, halibut, Chilean sea bass, swordfish, salmon, wild salmon, sometimes farm-raised salmon too," he said.
A massive platter of cioppino - or fisherman's stew - is enough to feed a family, loaded with crab, mussels and clams; branzino is prepared a multitude of ways, including salt-baked or grilled; the sides are typically rice, potatoes and peppers, and the garnishes, not much more than a squeeze of lemon or a drizzle of olive oil.
A Great Lakes Platter is a fried fish lover's fantasy, featuring walleye, whitefish and smelt. Even a simple salad (topped with anchovies, of course) is a study in generous portions with the intention to be shared among several diners.
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"You gonna get a lot of portions. All our portions over a pound, pound-and-a-half," he said.
They do sell Italian, Spanish and Greek wines here; you can bring your own but it's a $10 corkage fee.
And while they certainly have individual items like sandwiches and salads, bringing a few friends is recommended because the portions sizes are pretty massive.
EXTRA COURSE: Steve talks about a unique dish Boston Fish Market, which is rarely seen on menus in the Chicago area -- bone-in monkfish
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BOSTON FISH MARKET
1225 Forest Ave., Des Plaines
(847) 803-2100
http://bostonfishmkt.com/