"The Joint Near the Bridge - over by 95th!" are the directions to a wonderful family owned fried fish operation that has delighted and nourished Helots from all over the south side and northwest Indiana. Calumet Fisheries is a Chicago icon - forget Carol Marin, get boat of smelts!
This terrific fast fish carry-out joint was the back-drop to one of my fictionalized tales of the south side " " Bubs Murtaugh's Shrimp Snack" - enjoyed by tens of people.
Calumet Fisheries own the prestigious James Beard Award for local restaurants.
Here is Chicago Sun times Mary Houlihan's stirring report!
Fans know that the carry-out only Calumet, owned since 1948 by the Kotlick and Toll families, serves some of the best seafood in Chicago. Among its best-sellers are salmon and shrimp, smoked in its natural wood smokehouse behind the store.Chicago Sun Times
"We serve good, solid food that the working guy likes to eat," Kotlick said. "People always come back."
Located at 3259 E. 95th on the west bank of the Calumet River, Calumet has gotten notice before. Anthony Bourdain stopped by in 2008 when he was filming the Chicago segment of his Travel Channel show "No Reservations." That notoriety brought in new business from the North Side, Kotlick said.
"We're hoping this award will bring in more customers who haven't tried us before," Kotlick said.
Kotlick says he plans to attend the May 2 awards event. He hopes there's a red carpet to walk.
"We'll be playing with the big boys that night," Kotlick said, laughing. "If I could sit with a Rick Bayless or a Rachael Ray, well that would be a fun, interesting evening."
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/2035016,CST-NWS-beard08.article
