my high end professional obligations took into the area of east 95th Street the other day

I had heard about this place before and was reminded of it by a recent Chicago's Best episode.

I thought it was just kind of average fried seafood. I certainly would not go out of my way for it. I probably am missing their signature item of smoked fish so this review may be a bit unfair. I don't like smoked fish.

Anyway, I'd go again but would not search this place out.

Fish Keg on the Chicago-Evanston border for this man.

We ate at Everest the night after dining here, and there was dispute over which was the finer food. That's right, Calumet Fisheries' smoked shrimp is that good. Less complex, certainly, but those two flavors are perfect each and in combination. And I certainly didn't accidentally nibble on my finger after a delicious lingering aroma from Everest.

The huge shrimp get smoked in the shack's own little smokeshack in the back (it doesn't look like much, but perhaps that's why this stuff is so good). Their breaded shrimp is great too, quite possibly the best in the city, but skip it anyway and get a 1/2 lb. of smoked shrimp ($10) per person. As implied above, the beautiful smoked shrimp smell will linger on your fingers, so watch that you don't chew on them.

It's also a great place to pick up other smoked fish like salmon and especially chubs. Ah, Calumet Fisheries' smoked chubs. Priced at just $10/lb., the chubs sell like hot cakes. Or rather, drugs--folks from the neighborhood call them "fish crack."

I'm not sure on how Chicagoans eat their chubs, but I'll give you a run down on the Russian no-utensil version:

1) snap off that fish head and toss it;
2) pry the fish open from the bottom;
3) and start pulling meat off those bones
4) dip that meat in the hot sauce and eat.

Lastly, the setting is perfect Calumet River industrial grandiosity. The ships on the river, steel mills in the distance, close up views of several great steel drawbridges, the Skyway, and a wayward little yacht marina. And you've got about a 25% chance on any given visit to see the 95th St bridge rise for a tugboat, which always draws a crowd of shrimp-devouring gawkers.

Unfortunately, there's no good place to rest your meal while doing some gawking of your own--some sort of counter or small picnic table outside would be a great improvement, but who am I to complain when the fish is this good. Eat your food carefully in the car, on the hood, or take it back to wherever you're going. Driving over to Wolf Lake to gorge yourself on smoked chubs while looking at the industrial monstrosities of Lake Co. over the marshes will be memorable!

Im pretty hammered right now.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

It's really not that bad of a drive, either.