3rd Coast Fish Bar (a DMK restaurant) — Restaurant in Lake View Township

To be fair, I'd truly give this 3.5 stars. My experience was so-so, but I would give it another shot and expect it might go a little better because I would have the knowledge I didn't going in the first time.

I called ahead and asked for reservations for 4; which I was told they don't do. When we walked in, they asked if we had a reservation. Not exactly sure what happened there. So we waited for a table and I'm not complaining about that because I wasn't aware of the interior layout and the fact that they only had 3 tables to suit parties of more than 2 if you didn't want to all sit at the bar where only the people sitting next to each other would be able to interact.

The servers, bartenders, and hostesses were all exceptionally helpful and polite. That's always a plus.

As for the drinks, they came in mason jars. Looked delicious and the presentation was very playful. Personally, I thought the drinks looked a little on the small side but I did have my eye on the bloody mary shooter with an oyster that I was dying to try. Alas, I'm expecting so all of these drinks weren't in the cards for me on this visit. With that said, I was also slightly disappointed at all of the raw options that I was pining for and couldn't indulge in. Again, not their fault and had I known going in that half the menu was raw I might have chosen to go somewhere else so that I didn't experience an extreme case of the "I want, but I can't have" syndrome.

It's a small menu, but is packed with lots of scrumptious options. We had no idea going in that it was small plates so we were a little surprised when we kept seeing plates and plates of food being delivered to tables while we were waiting. That's a good thing to know going in because if you have your heart set on an $18 lobster roll and have a big appetite, you better plan on shelling out for at least a second plate.

I had the federal style calamari and I thought it was good. Didn't knock my socks off, but had a kick which I like and a very crisp texture. Then I had the oyster po boy. In the future, I would go with maybe the crab cake sandwich instead. I didn't find either of my plates memorable at all.

On the other hand, my fiance had the fish sandwich and we both agree that was the star of the meal. He also had the tator tots, eh, nothing special and the trout; which was the catch of the day. That was good.

My MIL had the lobster roll and granted I know we're not in Maine, but we have family who is and have eaten our share of Maine lobster rolls there so of course by comparison this didn't make the cut.

Here's my plan for the future because I liked the atmosphere and think I just wasn't able to appreciate everything The Fish Bar has to offer: I'd come for a date night and sit at the bar with my honey because as he pointed out, it would be a really fun place to go on a date if that date could drink so hopefully he waits for me and doesn't just go find someone else to take in the meantime :) We would definitely get a few of the bloody mary shots and probably some of the ceviche and raw oyster options. I would skip the lobster roll and po boy and go straight for the fish sandwich. When this happens, I'll be sure to update...

Imagine, if you will, a restaurant adorned like a quaint fish shop one might find by a sun-drenched bay. Pictures of fisherman posing with their largest catch of the day adorn the walls, a subtle reminder of the journey the food takes before landing on your plate. Here, I embarked on a culinary adventure guided by the friendly and knowledgeable staff. My main course was a revelation – a white fish burger! This succulent patty, perfectly cooked, was nestled between fresh veggies and a soft bun. Accompanying this was a revelation of another kind: tater tots, delightful little fried potato morsels that proved surprisingly addictive. A special sauce, its flavor both tangy and creamy, elevated both the burger and the tots to new heights. But wait, there's more! A side of fried shrimp arrived, each piece boasting a light, tempura-like batter that yielded to the tender flesh within. Alongside them were an assortment of lightly-fried vegetables – a delightful textural and flavorful contrast. The same wondrous sauce served with the tots proved equally delightful with the shrimp and vegetables. As for my companion, they embarked on a journey of their own with a crisp, chilled wine that perfectly complemented the seafood feast before us. Everything, from the impeccably fresh ingredients to the perfectly cooked dishes, spoke of a deep respect for the ocean's bounty. The staff, ever-attentive and brimming with knowledge, ensured our exploration of American seafood was a resounding success. So, if you find yourself in Chicago with a yearning for the taste of the sea, I urge you to seek out 3rd Coast Fish Bar. It is an experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you...

Our recent visit to Fish Bar left us profoundly disappointed. As a family seeking a pleasant dinner outing, our expectations were high. However, the quality of the food, the exorbitant drink prices, and the overall underwhelming experience have compelled us to share our honest feedback.

The most significant letdown of our visit to Fish Bar was the subpar quality of the food. The dishes lacked the flavor that one would expect from a seafood-focused establishment.

Another aspect that contributed to our disappointment was the exorbitant prices of the drinks. While we understand that certain establishments may have higher price points, the cost of the beverages at Fish Bar was beyond reasonable limits. The inflated prices did not correspond to the quality or size of the drinks, leaving us feeling as though we were being taken advantage of as customers.

The culmination of unsatisfactory food quality and excessively priced drinks led to a ruined overall experience at Fish Bar. The lack of consistency in service and the indifferent attitude of the staff further added to our disappointment. We had hoped for a warm and welcoming atmosphere, but unfortunately, we were met with an underwhelming and disengaged staff who seemed disinterested in ensuring a positive dining experience for their customers.

Regrettably, our family dinner at Fish Bar in Chicago turned out to be an unfortunate experience that fell far below our expectations.

We sincerely hope that Fish Bar takes our feedback into consideration and works towards enhancing their offerings and...