Boston Fish Market Inc started as a simple fish counter in Des Plaines, Illinois, but it has grown into something much bigger. Today, this seafood spot draws crowds from all over the Chicago area with its massive portions, fresh catches, and lively atmosphere.
What makes this place special is how it combines a full-service fish market with a bustling restaurant, giving diners the best of both worlds under one roof.
From Humble Market to Seafood Empire
Walk into Boston Fish Market Inc and you’ll immediately notice this isn’t your typical seafood restaurant. The space doubles as a working fish market where customers can browse fresh catches from around the world before sitting down to eat.
This dual concept sets it apart from every other seafood joint in the area.
Located at 1225 Forest Ave in Des Plaines, the restaurant earned its reputation by refusing to compromise on quality. The owners understood that Midwestern diners craved ocean-fresh seafood but couldn’t always get to the coasts.
They built their business around sourcing the best fish and shellfish available, treating each delivery like precious cargo.
Over the years, word spread about the generous portions and reasonable prices. What started as a neighborhood fish market gradually expanded into a full dining destination.
The restaurant now seats hundreds of guests daily, especially during peak hours when the outdoor patio fills with seafood lovers enjoying everything from grilled octopus to classic lobster rolls.
The transformation didn’t happen overnight, but the commitment to freshness never wavered. That dedication turned a simple market into one of Illinois’ most talked-about seafood destinations.
Portions That Defy Midwest Expectations
Forget everything you know about restaurant portion sizes because Boston Fish Market operates on a completely different scale. Reviews consistently mention one surprising detail: two people can easily share a single entree and still leave satisfied.
One customer even photographed their plate next to their entire arm just to prove how massive the servings really are.
The kitchen doesn’t believe in skimping on anything. Order the seafood platter and you’ll receive enough fried shrimp, scallops, and oysters to feed a small family.
The Mediterranean fish dishes arrive piled high with perfectly cooked protein, rice, and vegetables that spill over the edges of already-large plates.
This generosity extends to every menu item, from the towering lobster rolls to the overflowing bowls of cioppino. Servers routinely warn first-time visitors about the portion sizes, suggesting they start with appetizers or plan to take leftovers home.
Most diners ignore this advice and end up shocked anyway.
The value proposition becomes clear when you consider the prices alongside these enormous servings. While some might initially balk at spending thirty-six dollars on shrimp, that sticker shock fades when the plate arrives loaded with enough seafood for two meals.
Fresh Catches From Around the Globe
The market side of Boston Fish Market sources seafood from every corner of the planet. Halibut from Alaska sits next to Mediterranean branzino, while New England clams share space with Gulf Coast shrimp.
This global approach means the menu changes based on what’s freshest and in season.
Customers rave about the quality, with many comparing it favorably to seafood they’ve eaten on actual coastlines. One Greek customer claimed the food tasted better than what they’d had back in Greece.
Another diner who grew up near the ocean said finding this place made living in Chicago bearable again.
The restaurant takes pride in its direct relationships with fishermen and suppliers worldwide. This network allows them to offer specialties you won’t find at typical Midwestern restaurants.
Grilled octopus appears on the menu alongside Cajun-style preparations, giving adventurous eaters plenty to explore.
Every Friday, regulars return for their favorite dishes, confident the fish will taste as fresh as it did the week before. The consistency comes from careful sourcing and proper handling from dock to plate.
Whether you’re ordering grilled halibut or fried smelt, the ocean flavor comes through clearly in every bite.
The Outdoor Patio Experience
Step outside onto the patio and the atmosphere shifts completely. Music plays at just the right volume while diners enjoy their meals under umbrellas and open sky.
The outdoor space has become one of the restaurant’s biggest draws, especially during warmer months when every table fills quickly.
Reviewers specifically mention the vibe created by dining al fresco at Boston Fish Market. The glass-enclosed sunroom offers a compromise for those who want outdoor ambiance with climate control.
Both spaces provide a more relaxed setting than the bustling interior dining room.
One customer described their Thursday lunch experience as divine, crediting the combination of attentive service, perfect weather, and background music. The outdoor seating transforms a regular meal into something memorable.
Families celebrate birthdays here while couples enjoy date nights under the stars.
The only downside mentioned involves the indoor acoustics, where the building’s shape creates an echo effect that can get loud during busy periods. Smart diners request patio seating whenever possible, though even that fills up fast on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Making a reservation helps, especially for larger groups who want to guarantee their spot in this popular outdoor space.
Service That Remembers Your Favorites
Regular customers develop relationships with their servers at Boston Fish Market, creating a neighborhood feel despite the restaurant’s size. One loyal patron mentioned that the waitstaff knows exactly what she’ll order before she even sits down.
That kind of personalized attention keeps people coming back week after week.
Servers like Maro, Emanuel, and Robert get called out by name in glowing reviews. These professionals go beyond taking orders by offering helpful suggestions and making sure every detail meets expectations.
Emanuel even turned down overly loud music when guests mentioned it bothered them, showing the staff’s commitment to customer comfort.
The service style balances efficiency with friendliness perfectly. During busy lunch rushes, waiters keep things moving without making diners feel rushed.
They understand that massive portions mean slower eating, so they give tables plenty of time to work through their meals.
New visitors receive extra guidance about portion sizes and menu highlights. The staff genuinely wants everyone to have a great experience, whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth.
This consistency in service quality matches the consistency in food preparation, creating a reliable dining experience that builds customer loyalty over time.
Lobster Rolls Worth the Inland Journey
Finding an authentic lobster roll in the Midwest feels nearly impossible, but Boston Fish Market nails it. Customers who’ve eaten lobster rolls on the East Coast give this version their seal of approval.
The kitchen piles fresh lobster meat into butter-toasted buns without drowning it in unnecessary fillers or mayo.
These sandwiches appear frequently in customer reviews, with thirty-four separate mentions of lobster rolls across the feedback. That consistency suggests the restaurant maintains quality standards even during busy periods.
Each roll arrives with generous portions of sweet lobster chunks that taste like they came straight from Maine waters.
The preparation stays true to New England traditions while the portion size follows Boston Fish Market’s bigger-is-better philosophy. One roll easily satisfies a hearty appetite, especially when paired with the house-cut fries that come perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy inside.
Comparing this landlocked version to coastal competitors might seem unfair, but the restaurant welcomes the challenge. They source high-quality lobster and treat it with respect, letting the natural sweetness shine through.
For Chicago-area residents craving that seaside favorite, this spot delivers without requiring a flight to Boston.
Clam Chowder and Seafood Gumbo Perfection
Boston Fish Market’s soup game rivals any coastal establishment. The clam chowder gets seventeen mentions in reviews, with customers praising its creamy texture and generous clam content.
Kids especially love this starter, making it a family-friendly option that pleases picky eaters and adventurous diners alike.
The seafood gumbo takes a different approach, bringing Cajun flavors to the menu with nineteen separate customer mentions. This spicy, rich stew packs in shrimp, fish, and other seafood in a dark roux-based broth that warms you from the inside out.
The kitchen clearly understands both New England and Southern seafood traditions.
These soups serve as excellent introductions to the restaurant’s quality standards. They arrive piping hot with proper seasoning and plenty of seafood in every spoonful.
The chowder leans traditional while the gumbo shows off the kitchen’s range and willingness to explore different regional styles.
Many diners order both soups as appetizers to share, creating a tasting experience before their massive entrees arrive. The contrast between creamy New England chowder and spicy Louisiana gumbo showcases the breadth of the menu.
Both preparations demonstrate why this restaurant has become a seafood destination rather than just another fish place.
Mediterranean Specialties Meet Midwest Diners
Grilled octopus and branzino might seem out of place in suburban Illinois, but Boston Fish Market embraces Mediterranean preparations with confidence. The Greek influence shows through in dishes like saganaki and whole grilled fish that arrive simply seasoned with lemon and olive oil.
One reviewer who identified as Greek gave the restaurant an incredible compliment, saying the food tasted better than meals back in Greece. That’s high praise considering Mediterranean cultures take their seafood very seriously.
The kitchen respects traditional preparations while adapting them slightly for American palates.
The branzino gets particular attention from diners who appreciate whole fish presentations. Servers expertly debone the fish tableside, turning the meal into a small performance.
The Mediterranean approach lets quality ingredients shine without heavy sauces or complicated techniques masking the natural flavors.
Grilled octopus and calamari earn nine mentions in reviews, showing these items have found an audience beyond just Mediterranean food enthusiasts. The char from the grill adds smoky depth while keeping the seafood tender.
These dishes prove that Midwestern diners will embrace unfamiliar preparations when they’re executed properly with fresh ingredients and authentic techniques.
The Market-Restaurant Hybrid Advantage
Shopping for tonight’s dinner while eating lunch creates a unique experience that Boston Fish Market exploits brilliantly. The retail fish market operates alongside the restaurant, letting diners browse fresh catches and take home ingredients to cook themselves.
This setup builds trust because customers see exactly what goes into their restaurant meals.
Parents bring kids to look at the fresh fish counter, turning dinner into an educational experience about different species and sustainable fishing. The visual display of whole fish on ice, live lobsters in tanks, and pristine fillets ready for purchase makes seafood feel accessible rather than intimidating.
Many customers mention planning to return specifically to shop the market after enjoying a restaurant meal. The quality they taste at dinner convinces them to try cooking seafood at home.
The staff offers preparation tips and cooking suggestions, helping nervous home cooks feel confident about grilling salmon or steaming clams.
This dual business model reinforces the restaurant’s commitment to freshness. You can’t fake quality when customers can literally buy the same fish you’re serving and cook it themselves.
The transparency builds loyalty and separates Boston Fish Market from competitors who only operate dining rooms without retail components.
Value That Justifies the Price Tag
Sticker shock hits when you first scan the menu and see entrees priced between thirty and fifty dollars. That initial reaction fades quickly when your food arrives and you realize you’re getting enough for two or three meals.
The value proposition at Boston Fish Market becomes clear once you understand the portion philosophy.
Several reviews specifically mention that while prices seem high, the portions justify every dollar spent. One couple paid $141 for two entrees and drinks, which sounds expensive until you consider they likely took home enough leftovers for another complete meal.
The quality and quantity combine to create reasonable value.
The restaurant does add a three-percent processing fee that some customers find annoying, especially when it’s not mentioned upfront. This surprise charge can sour an otherwise excellent experience.
Transparency about additional fees would improve customer satisfaction significantly.
Despite occasional pricing complaints, most diners leave feeling they received fair value. The combination of ocean-fresh seafood, enormous portions, and solid service in a landlocked location costs money to deliver consistently.
Boston Fish Market charges accordingly but backs up those prices with quality that keeps customers returning despite cheaper options existing elsewhere in the Chicago area.
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