Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab - Chicago
With the surf chops to match the finest steak cuts, Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab is a favorite in the Chicago steakhouse scene. This Miami import has been a staple in the River North neighborhood since 2000. The dining room evokes a seaside vibe with high ceilings and white tile framed in dark wood, then leads into more intimate seating areas that reflect a more Chicago-feel. Crisp tablecloths and tuxedoed servers create an ambiance of sophistication, and that care in appearance follows through to their menu.
A steak dinner should always kick off with a cocktail, and Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab has a collection of signature cocktails to quench your thirst. Familiar classics like the mojito, old fashioned, and Moscow mule are faithfully prepared, alongside concoctions like the boozy Boulevardier and the Clevelander, a bright beverage made of gin, Aperol, orange bitters, and lemon. The white sangria is a refreshing and fruit-forward option, with lychee, strawberry, and lime accenting a mix of sauvignon blanc, St. Germain, and prosecco.
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Seafood dominates the appetizers at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, so start your meal with a little bit of surf before hitting the turf for the main course. Charred octopus, prepared with corona beans and Kalamata olives, is an elegant way to begin the meal. Shrimp shines in a number of dishes, including a classic shrimp cocktail and the Chicago favorite shrimp DeJonghe. Oysters can be ordered on the half shell, Rockefeller style, or fried. If you have a big party (or if your appreciation for seafood simply knows no bounds), order the Whale. This epic seafood platter comes with Alaskan king crab, lobster tail, jumbo shrimp cocktail, and shrimp and scallop ceviche.
After such a fresh start, a juicy steak will be just what you need. The steaks at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab are USDA prime cuts, cooked to order. A steak purist can order a cut on its own, choosing between the 8 ounce or 10 ounce filet mignon, the 16 ounce ribeye, and the 16 ounce New York strip. The bone-in signature prime steaks take that quality to the next level. These specially chosen and hand-carved cuts are found exclusively at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. With bone-in richness and exquisite tenderness, these top steaks make for an unmatched meal.
The menu has a few options with an extra pop of flavor for diners who like to dress things up. The dry aged chopped steak is matched perfectly with earthy roasted mushrooms. The marinated skirt steak is a fun and bright dish, served with lime butter and shishito peppers. Naturally this steakhouse has some excellent surf and turf choices. The filet Oscar is accompanied with Alaskan king crab, asparagus, and béarnaise sauce, and the filet and tail offers that timeless pairing of prime steak and lobster tail, served with drawn butter.
However, if you want the true Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab experience, pair your steak with an order of the restaurant’s namesake. The stone crab is a specialty of the steakhouse and consistently wins rave reviews from diners and critics alike. “The Infatuation” writes, “Stone crab is the type of shellfish that we consistently crave… This is why we come to Joe’s.” Harvested by hand in the Gulf of Mexico, the stone crab claws are known for containing particularly sweet meat, and their crave-worthy flavor has made them a long-running hit on the menu. Don’t forget to dip; the signature mustard sauce that accompanies the stone crab takes the claws to the next level.
A sleeper hit on the menu is Joe’s fried chicken. Hardly the first dish you’d think of ordering in a Chicago steakhouse that specializes in seafood, the fried chicken has nonetheless won over diners and become one of the most popular items. An order of this crisp, golden bird is perfect for the table to share (we’re definitely not judging if you want a plate all to yourself).
How about a slice of pie to end the meal? Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab has an excellent selection from the fruity to the chocolate-y. Key lime pie is a solid favorite, a sweet-tart nod to the restaurant’s Florida roots. Peanut butter pie with hot fudge and Boston cream pie are for the diners who truly have a sweet tooth. If caramel is to your liking, try the Havana Dream Pie, a take on a tres leches cake that will have you swooning.
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