Chicago's Calumet Fisheries restaurant is back in business frying up shrimp and fish Saturday, months after a fire shut them down.The beloved local smoked fish shack Calumet Fisheries on the city's Far South Side is back in business.
"It's been a struggle but you guys have been phenomenal. Welcome back," co-owner Mark Kotlick said to hungry customers.They've been waiting months for this moment. The restaurant at 3259 East 95th Street was forced to shut down after an electrical fire in November 2023."It's been in our family now for 76 years," said Kotlick. "It's a reopening I never thought we'd have to do, but it's a great feeling again."
Employees were up early, the fryer busy with pounds of shrimp and a seemingly endless amount of fish. "We absolutely love it. I've been coming here for over years with my family," said customer Jody Healy ."The shrimp is really my favorite, but the smoked fish is phenomenal," explained Healy."My grandparents came here, my parents came here, brought us here. When it burnt down, it was a hit for the whole neighborhood," said Gonzalez."I am so happy for the community. It's a staple in our neighborhood," she said.