5 Illinois Seafood Spots Where Fried Lake Perch Comes Piled High On The Platter

One Chicago fish counter has been frying seafood since 1933. That’s older than sliced bread being a household habit, and it’s still at it.

Lake perch has deep roots in Illinois. Those small, sweet fillets fry up fast and crisp, which may explain why fish markets keep them on the menu decade after decade.

I love that the best plates often come from places that also sell raw fish by the pound.

The five spots below lean hard into portion size. One serves a Great Lakes platter big enough to stop conversation.

Another pairs its perch with barbecue, which sounds odd until you think about it for two seconds.

Most of them are easygoing enough for kids, and some are fast enough for a weeknight. So which one gets your Friday?

1. Boston Fish Market Inc

Fish markets usually hand you a paper sack and wave goodbye. Here, you can grab a table and let the kitchen do the work instead.

Boston Fish Market calls itself a full-service market, sourcing fresh and frozen seafood from around the world. The dining side offers table service, which makes it a sit-down option among the fish counters on this list.

The Fisherman’s Platter is the headline act for perch fans. It stacks perch alongside mahi mahi and scallops, with sides like green beans, potatoes, and rice.

Size matters here, and the fried Great Lakes platter is known for being enormous. Sharing is a smart move, especially with smaller eaters at the table.

Families get a fair amount of help too. High chairs are available, and the place is considered good for kids and groups.

The menu runs well beyond fried fish, with lobster tail, cioppino, and saganaki. That variety helps when one person wants perch and another wants something flaming.

Saturday evening tends to be the busiest stretch, so weekday lunch may feel calmer. Reservations are accepted, and the market closes on Sundays, so check ahead before you go.

Address: 1225 Forest Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018

2. Captain Porky’s

Barbecue smoke and fried perch under one roof? On US-41 in northern Lake County, that combo makes perfect sense.

Captain Porky’s describes itself as a roadside-inspired barbecue pit and seafood market. The result is a menu where ribs and lake perch share space without a hint of awkwardness.

Fried lake perch sits beside smelt, bluegill, and jumbo fried shrimp. Add hush puppies, fried okra, or fried catfish, and your tray fills up quickly.

Portions are known for being generous, which suits the casual, order-at-the-counter setup. Snow crab legs, jambalaya, and conch salad round out the seafood side nicely.

Save a little room for Yiayia’s Baklava. It’s a sweet, flaky surprise at a place named after a pig.

Seating is limited, so takeout is a handy backup plan on a busy day. Friday evenings and weekend afternoons tend to draw the biggest crowds.

The family-run spot is open seven days a week, and high chairs are available. Wednesday mornings tend to be the quietest window if you’d like elbow room.

It’s an easy stop for anyone heading toward the Wisconsin line from the Chicago suburbs. Your car will smell great on the ride home.

Address: 38995 N US-41, Wadsworth, IL 60083

3. DiCola’s Seafood

Since 1933, this family-owned counter on the Far South Side has been frying fish for Chicago. That’s more than ninety years of perch practice.

DiCola’s Seafood works as both a market and an eatery. You can buy fresh seafood to cook at home or order it fried to order while you wait.

Lake perch shares the spotlight with whitefish and jumbo shrimp. Feeling bold?

The fried lineup also includes frog legs, catfish, and fried lobster.

Salad sides help balance out a plate built mostly from golden batter. Fried-to-order cooking means a short wait, but your fish arrives hot instead of sitting under a lamp.

Plan for this as a carryout run rather than a long meal. The shop has no restroom and doesn’t offer delivery, so a stop on the way home works best.

A free parking lot makes the pickup easy on Western Avenue. Fridays from afternoon into evening are typically the busiest stretch.

Hours run on the earlier side, with Sundays closed, so check ahead before a late craving hits. Grab extra napkins for the car, since kids rarely wait until home to start sampling.

Address: 10754 S Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60643

4. Don’s Dock Seafood

Two Des Plaines seafood spots made this list, and that’s no accident. Don’s Dock has been frying fish in this suburb since 1951.

The family-owned eatery and market offers both grilled and fried seafood with sides. Fried lake perch is a top pick, and it’s known for coming out crispy rather than greasy.

Walleye and catfish are popular fried picks too. If someone in your crew wants a break from batter, the lobster roll carries a good amount of lobster.

Portions are good-sized, and prices sit on the friendlier end of the scale. That combo makes it a strong choice for feeding hungry kids after practice.

Speaking of kids, there’s a kids’ menu and high chairs. Free wi-fi can buy you a few peaceful minutes while the fryer works.

Ordering happens at the counter, so service moves along without much fuss. Outdoor seating is an option when Illinois weather cooperates.

The shop is closed Sundays and Mondays, and Friday afternoons into evening tend to be the busiest. Check ahead for current hours, especially around Lent.

It sits right off Northwest Highway, an easy hop from O’Hare-area errands.

Address: 1220 E Northwest Hwy, Des Plaines, IL 60016

5. The Fish Keg

No frills, no fuss, and no tablecloths in sight. The Fish Keg keeps its focus squarely on the fryer, and that’s the charm.

The decades-old counter-serve spot on Howard Street sells fresh and fried seafood, plus chicken. Lake perch comes with homemade cocktail sauce, a small detail that makes a difference.

Big combo orders are part of the fun here. You can build a pile with perch, shrimp, catfish nuggets, and walleye, then add potato salad, fries, and hush puppies.

The sides deserve attention too. Oil and vinegar coleslaw offers a tangy break from the crunch, and sweet potato pie makes a fine finish.

Scallops and the Original Fish Chips are also on the menu. Prices run a bit higher than some fish counters, but the plates feel substantial.

There’s no restroom, so treat this as a takeout stop for most families. Parking options are usually plentiful nearby.

The shop closes Mondays and opens at noon on Sundays, so check ahead before you go. Friday afternoons and Wednesday evenings tend to be the busiest in this corner of Illinois.

Address: 2233 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60645