The Half Shell has been serving seafood in Lincoln Park since 1968, and the place probably hasn’t changed a bit since it opened. The word "dive" definitely comes to mind when describing this restaurant / bar…these days, if a place like this opened, it would probably be considered "retro chic." But The Half Shell is the real deal.
It is a little difficult to find, as the entrance is below street level under what looks to be a house. It’s also a little difficult to see once you are inside – the ceiling is quite low and the lights are dimmed. The décor can best be described as…well…there really isn’t a décor. The bar runs pretty much the length of the restaurant, along the right hand side as you enter, with tables scattered on the left hand side. The beer is cold and is a relative bargain at $3.75 a mug (in Lincoln Park, $3.75 is cheap).
The menu is a bit limited in raw bar options, but does feature a variety of oysters. Alaskan King Crab legs are also very popular and reputed to be among the best in the city. On the hot side, most of the other seafood options are served fried. The "32-pointer" is the cream of this crop: frog legs, smelt (small fish found in Lake Michigan), shrimp, clams, and perch, all deep-fried and served piping hot. Buried beneath – French fries and toasted white bread. All this, served in a plastic red basket and butcher paper. There are some non-seafood options (steak, burgers, chicken), but there is no point to ordering something like that in a place like this. Most entrees are between $12 and $18 dollars.
Service is no-frills affair either, although I’ve found it to be efficient. Also note that credit cards are not accepted, they are a cash-only restaurant.
So, if you are looking for a unique seafood dining experience, The Half Shell will deliver. It is not Shaw’s Crab House, or King Crab (another popular Lincoln Park seafood restaurant), but it must be doing something right to stick around for over 30 years and have a loyal following.