McCormick & Schmick’s
Oak Brook
With more than 80 restaurants throughout the country, this famous seafood franchise has been recognized for its culinary excellence nationwide. Aside from oyster shooters on the “Happy Hour” menu and a buttermilk fried oyster appetizer, one of their most popular traditions is their $1 oyster night every Tuesday. There is a different type of oyster every week, freshly shucked right in front of you, served with lemon, cocktail sauce, and hot sauce. They sell them until the bar runs out, so get them while they’re fresh!
McCormick & Schmick’s is located at 3001 Butterfield Road in Oak Brook. For more information, call 630-571-3700, or visit mccormickandschmicks.com.
Reel Club
Oak Brook
The ocean has made its way to Oak Brook at Reel Club with every menu item made from scratch, in-house daily. Best served with Champagne Granita and cocktail sauce, there are oyster selections from both the East Coast (such as the large, crisp, and firm Blue Point) and West Coast (like the Pacific Orchard with a medium, mildly salty, and watermelon finish). American Mussel Harvesters in Rhode Island deliver the most quality, freshest shellfish to Reel Club using the most environmentally-friendly practices and sustainable oyster beds.
Reel Club is located at 272 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook. For more information, call 630-368-9400, or visit reel-club.com.
Devon Seafood & Steak
Oakbrook Terrace
With a chic-casual vibe, faultless service, and imaginative seafood dishes, the main objective for Devon Seafood & Steak is to source fresh, seasonal, and fair trade ingredients of the highest class. The oyster bar serves clean oysters such as Malpeque, Wellfleet, Beausoleil, and Otter Cove on the half shell. If you’re looking for more creativity and variety in your appetizer, also try the chilled shellfish platter starter with shrimp cocktail, king crab legs, lobster claws, and, of course, freshly shucked oysters.
Devon Seafood & Steak is located at 17W400 22nd Street in Oakbrook Terrace. For more information, call 630-516-0180, or visit devonseafood.com.
Porterhouse Steaks and Seafood
Burr Ridge
If your family is looking for an old school, relaxed atmosphere with awesome steaks and the freshest seafood around, Porterhouse is the place for you. There are many oyster varieties to choose from. For a cold appetizer, try their Blue Point oysters or the cold ppetizer platter with an array of tasty shellfish. For something with a little more kick and fire, channel New Orleans, and try the Oysters Rockefeller on the half shell, baked with a rich butter sauce and bread crumbs and paired with hollandaise sauce.
Porterhouse Steaks and Seafood is located at 15 W. 776 N. Frontage Road in Burr Ridge. For more information, call 630-850-9999, or visit porterhouseburrridge.com.
Ditka’s
Oakbrook Terrace
“Da Coach” made sure to stack the menu for his Ditka’s Restaurants with a little something for everyone, from steaks for meat-lovers, pasta for Italian diehards, and oysters for those with a more sophisticated palette. For shellfish starters, Ditka’s offers a seafood feast (complete with jumbo shrimp, seared tuna, Alaskan king crab, and raw oysters), oysters on the half shell with fresh horseradish, and the ever-popular cowboy oyster shooters. The shooters are freshly shucked and served with cocktail sauce and Tabasco vinaigrette in a shot glass to fulfill your oyster craving and sampling in a quick, simple, and refreshing way.
Ditka’s is located at 2[A1] Mid America Plaza, Suite 100, in Oakbrook Terrace. For more information, call 630-572-2200, or visit ditkasrestaurants.com.
Eddie Merlot’s
Burr Ridge
Food-lovers and friends of Bill Humphries, founder of the intimate steakhouse, nicknamed him “Eddie Merlot” in homage to the man and his love of a good steak, a great glass of wine, and an even better story. Before chowing down on your favorite cut of meat, preface your dinner with the oysters du jour. There are two different kinds of oysters (one East Coast and one West Coast) on the half shell. For a warmer appetizer, add Oysters Rockefeller to your personalized seafood medley or platter presented to you with mouthwatering aromas and dry ice.
Eddie Merlot’s is located at 201 Bridewell Drive in Burr Ridge. For more information, call 630-468-2098, or visit eddiemerlots.com.
Mon Ami Gabi
Oak Brook
The knowledgeable and attentive waitstaff embraces a passion for food, wine, and culture at this charming French bistro. Since France remains the leader in the oyster industry, Mon Ami Gabi offers traditional oyster dishes. The oysters du jour is prepared with a shallot-black pepper mignonette and fresh horseradish while the giant seafood platter is always served with fresh and plump market oysters. Finish off your shellfish craving with one of their half-priced bottles of wine on Monday nights. Bon appétit!
Mon Ami Gabi is located at 260 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook. For more information, call 630-472-1900, or visit monamigabi.com.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Oak Brook
Gibsons is primarily known for its classic American steakhouse reputation, giant portions, and stellar martinis. But that’s no reason to overlook one of their most popular appetizers: the oyster assortment. At $3 each, both East Coast and West Coast oysters on the half shell are briny, juicy, and delightful, and never have an unwelcome haze on the inner shell. On your next visit to the Oak Brook favorite, refresh your palette with a lovely variety of raw oysters before sinking your teeth into that massive Gibsons steak.
Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse is located at 2105 South Spring Road in Oak Brook. For more information, call 630-954-0000, or visit gibsonssteakhouse.com.
Volare Ristorante
Oakbrook Terrace
This is not your ordinary Italian bistro. Volare blends the look and feel of old-world Italy with modern accents and additions to the finest of Mediterranean cuisine. The Piatto di Ostriche Crude (Italian for a half dozen raw oysters) is as large and flavorful as oysters that you would find in a Miami seafood joint. The accompanying lemons are served in matching cheesecloth to prevent any seeds from falling in your food, and the dollop of horseradish atop the cocktail sauce makes this appetizer perfection.
Volare Ristorante is located at 1919 South Meyers Road in Oakbrook Terrace. For more information, call 630-495-0200, or visit volarerestaurant.com.
Words by Rebecca Gibson
