This Illinois Restaurant Serves Giant Lobster Rolls That Bring The Coast To You
Bright red lobsters from New England get cooked fresh, piled onto a butter-brushed brioche bun, and served warm or cold. That alone sounds like a reason to plan a road trip.
The twist is that this happens in Illinois, nowhere near an ocean.
The kitchen openly admits it bends the official lobster roll rules. I like a place with that kind of confidence.
It also means you get to pick your style, buttery and warm or chilled and classic.
The lobster has plenty of company on the menu. Gulf shrimp, Bering Sea crab, and scratch-made chowder all share the spotlight.
I believe that kind of seafood range is rare this far inland.
So how does a casual Midwest spot pull off a seaside menu with this much swagger? The answer starts with a very serious approach to seafood.
Warm Or Cold, This Lobster Roll Lets You Pick Your Coast
Lobster lovers usually have a favorite, warm or cold. At The Original Island Shrimp House, everyone gets their pick.
The Original Lobster Roll comes in both styles, so you choose the mood. Warm brings buttery comfort, while cold delivers that crisp, classic seaside snap.
The bun matters here too. It’s a brioche roll brushed with butter and toasted until golden.
Inside sits freshly cooked lobster from bright red New England lobsters. The kitchen keeps things simple so the lobster stays the star of the show.
The house style uses a light touch of extras. Think diced celery, a little Old Bay, fresh lemon juice, and mayo.
That short list is a smart move. Too many add-ons would hide the sweet lobster flavor you came for.
The restaurant proudly says it bends the official lobster roll rules. It also says you can choose the size that fits you.
That flexibility makes ordering fun. Hungry for a full feast or a lighter lunch?
You’ve got options.
My advice is simple for a first visit. Bring a friend, order one warm and one cold, and split them down the middle.
You’ll settle the great lobster roll debate in about five delicious minutes. Then you can decide which coast your heart belongs to, even while sitting in Illinois.
The Seafood Travels Farther Than Your Last Vacation
New England, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Bering Sea all show up on one menu. That’s quite a map for a restaurant in the middle of the country.
Each region supplies what it does best. Lobster, clams, scallops, calamari, and chowder ingredients come from New England.
Shrimp and jambalaya flavors trace back to the Gulf of Mexico. King crab and snow crab come from the icy Bering Sea.
Most of the seafood comes from the United States. Only cod, haddock, and salmon come from outside the country.
Every bit of it is wild-caught and certified sustainable. The restaurant also works to keep its seafood almost entirely free of chemicals.
One founding partner holds a degree in biochemistry. That science background shapes the focus on super premium, chemical-free seafood.
I love that kind of nerdy dedication. It means someone is thinking hard about what lands on your plate.
For you, this means freshness without a plane ticket. You can taste three different waters in one meal.
A fun plan is to build a regional sampler. Grab something from New England, something from the Gulf, and something from the Bering Sea.
Call it a coastal road trip for your taste buds. No luggage, no airport security, and no sunburn required.
Your Mini Seaside Getaway Starts At The Front Door
Some vacations last a week. This one lasts about as long as lunch.
The Original Island Shrimp House designed its look with a clear goal. The casual atmosphere and interior aim to echo the little seafood shacks along the coast from Maine to Florida.
You know those spots. They’re the places you find on vacation and talk about for years.
That relaxed feel is the whole point. Nobody needs fancy clothes to enjoy a great plate of shrimp.
The restaurant opened in late July of 2015. It started with a simple belief that fresh seafood in a casual setting could work in the Midwest.
Clearly, that idea had legs. Or should we say claws?
The vibe works for nearly any plan. Date night, family dinner, or a solo lunch break all fit right in.
Table service keeps things easy when you dine in. You can sit back and let the coastal mood do its job.
Wear flip-flops if you want to really commit to the theme. Nobody will judge your beach style here.
Illinois winters can feel endless sometimes. A quick escape to a seaside-style seafood spot might be exactly what the season needs.
Bring A Bib For The Peel And Eat Shrimp
Getting your hands messy is part of the fun with this dish. The Peel and Eat Shrimp turns dinner into a hands-on activity.
Flavors come in several bold styles. Diablo brings Sriracha heat, while Buffalo adds a tangy kick.
Lemon Garlic Butter goes the rich and zesty route. Classic Old Bay keeps it true to coastal tradition.
Choosing just one might be the hardest part of your visit. Splitting a few flavors with your table solves that problem nicely.
Peeling shrimp also slows a meal down in a good way. Conversation flows when everyone is busy cracking shells and swapping bites.
Spice fans should head straight for the Diablo. Folks who prefer mellow flavors will feel right at home with lemon garlic butter.
The name says it all. Shrimp is front and center at The Original Island Shrimp House.
You’ll also find shrimp in other forms across the menu. Breaded shrimp by the pound and Island Bang Shrimp are both options.
Here’s a tip for families. Let kids pick a flavor and judge the shrimp like a cooking show panel.
Grab extra napkins before you start. Your fingers will thank you, and your shirt will too.
King Crab Legs Make A Platter Worth Celebrating
Crab fans, the Happy Crab Platter has your name on it. It packs King Crab, Snow Crab, a Crab Cake Slider, and an ear of corn onto one plate.
That’s three kinds of crab in a single order. Talk about a crab party.
The king and snow crab come from the Bering Sea. Those cold waters are famous for producing sweet, impressive crab legs.
Cracking crab legs is a little like opening presents. Every shell hides a reward inside.
The slider adds a fun handheld bite between all that cracking. The corn brings a sweet, summery touch to round things out.
This platter feels perfect for special moments. Birthdays, anniversaries, or simply surviving a long week all count.
Not into crab? The menu still has plenty to explore.
Seafood by the pound includes scallops, oysters, and calamari. Lobster Mac and Cheese is another tempting pick for comfort food lovers.
My suggestion is to order the platter for the table. Then add a few sides so everyone can build their own feast.
Crab dinners tend to turn into long, happy meals. Plan for some extra time and enjoy every buttery bite.
Soup Season Never Really Ends Around Here
Scratch-made soups give this menu a cozy side. Three standouts lead the lineup.
New England Clam Chowder brings that creamy, classic coastal comfort. Seafood Jambalaya carries Gulf flavor with a lively personality.
Shrimp Bisque rounds out the trio. It’s a smooth choice for anyone who loves shrimp in every form.
Each soup is made from scratch in the kitchen. That means real effort goes into every bowl.
Now let’s talk about the cornbread. It’s one of the most celebrated sides at The Original Island Shrimp House.
Cornbread with jambalaya feels like a match made in the bayou. The sweet bread plays nicely against bold soup flavors.
Other hand-crafted sides fill out the menu too. Coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, French fries, and garlic bread are all ready to join your meal.
When produce is in season, the kitchen uses vegetables from a local farm. It’s a nice nod to Illinois in a coast-inspired menu.
Chilly evenings call for a bowl of chowder. Hot summer days still work, because good soup ignores the calendar.
Try ordering two soups and sharing. You might discover a new favorite you never expected.
Save Room, Because Key Lime Tart Is Waiting
Dessert at a seafood spot? Absolutely, and it fits the coastal theme beautifully.
The Chef Made Key Lime Tart brings a taste of Florida to the finish line. Its bright, tangy flavor feels like sunshine on a plate.
Assorted cheesecakes are also on the dessert list. They’re perfect for anyone who wants something rich and creamy.
Younger diners get their own menu too. Mini Corn Dogs and Popcorn Shrimp keep little appetites happy.
Popcorn Shrimp is a clever way to introduce kids to seafood. Small bites feel less scary and more like a snack.
Sandwich fans have a strong lineup as well. Choices include Blackened Grouper, Fried Grouper, and several Po’Boys.
The Po’Boys come with shrimp, scallops, or oysters. Each one is dressed with lettuce, tomato, and a house-crafted honey jalapeno dressing.
That dressing sounds like the right blend of sweet and spicy. It’s a fun twist on a Southern classic.
Families can easily build a meal that pleases everyone. Parents grab grouper, kids munch corn dogs, and everyone shares the tart.
Ending with key lime feels like the perfect sendoff. It’s a tiny Florida vacation wrapped up in one sweet slice.
Plan Your Coastal Escape Without Leaving Illinois
Ready to make it happen? Getting your seafood fix is easier than finding sand in your shoes after a beach day.
The Original Island Shrimp House sits at 12902 LaGrange Rd in Palos Park, Illinois 60464. It’s an easy trip from many Chicago-area suburbs.
The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday, it opens from 11:30 AM to 8 PM.
Friday runs a little later, from 11 AM to 9 PM. Saturday hours are 11 AM to 8 PM.
Sunday brings a relaxed schedule from noon to 7 PM. That’s perfect for a lazy weekend lunch.
You can dine in with table service for the full experience. Carry-out works great when you’d rather enjoy lobster on your couch.
Catering is also available. Imagine your next party with a spread of shrimp and crab instead of the usual chips.
The menu also features daily and monthly specials. Checking them before you go can lead to a fun surprise.
A smart plan is to pair your visit with a weekend outing around Palos Park. Then reward yourself with seafood at the end of the day.
The coast may be far away. In Illinois, though, a great lobster roll is just a short drive down LaGrange Road.