Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Naperville

I thought about going to Ramsay’s Kitchen for restaurant week but decided to come here instead. The menu looked great, reviews looked solid on Google and mediocre on Yelp. It’s located in a strip mall, so parking was more than sufficient. You can easily find a spot and walk over. The restaurant itself is not small, about average. We got greeted upon walking in and they said we can sit anywhere.

Our server was Robyn. It started out good but gets worse. So, it took her a little while to take our orders. It wasn’t busy at all so I let that slide. We ordered half a dozen oysters and cold crab dip. Usually, appetizers don’t take long to prepare and bring out. They weren’t very complicated items yet it felt like an eternity. I’ll go through the food ratings later on. We finish but Robyn doesn’t take away our dirty plates. She completely forgot what we ordered for our entrees. She wrote everything down in the beginning. We ordered shrimp n’ grits, greggah with clam chowder, and shrimp po boy with sausage and potatoes. She brings out shrimp n’ grits and low country boil. At this point I was hangry and didn’t feel like correcting her. For some reason she gave us one clean plate but didn’t take away the previous dirty plates. I had to remind her about my po boy and she forgot about that. Eventually, she brings out the po boy with the sausage and potatoes. She asked if we needed any boxes and I said yes, just one. She doesn’t come back. Then, we order the desserts. She asked if we needed any boxes and I said again we needed one. She brought out the boxes at last. It seemed like she forgets very easily except for taking the payment. Definitely one of the worst services I have ever encountered. It seemed like it came straight from an episode of Hell’s Kitchen. You’re just watching and thinking if people are really this bad in real life. Yes, they are terrible in real life. Overall, I would not recommend this place. You have a waitress that can’t perform basic duties like taking away dirty plates, remembering orders on slow nights, and being very inattentive.

-half dozen oysters 4 - oysters on the smaller side but juicy. -cold crab dip 3 - it could use more crab meat. It was decent with the roasted garlic bread. Dip was a little on the salty side. -low country boil 5 - shrimp was really fresh and meaty. Sausages and red potatoes were well seasoned. -shrimp n’ grits - 3.5/5 - interesting spin on the classic but fried grit cakes were okay. Not memorable. Grilled shrimp was moist and meaty. That smoked sausage gravy was delicious and would pair well with the traditional mushy grits. -shrimp po boy with sausage and potatoes 4.5 - toasted French bread was warm, soft, and flavorful. Shrimp and signature sauce paired well with the bread. It was a very decent po boy. Portions were generous. It hit all of the high notes. -creme brulee cheesecake 5 - not as heavy as the chocolate cake. This one is lighter, moist inside, and more robust in terms of flavor. It’s like a symphony of goodness on my tastebuds. -chocolate cake 4 - a bit rich, good use of whip cream and...

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar: A True Pearl of Naperville

Nestled in the heart of downtown Naperville, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar is a must-visit for seafood lovers and anyone looking for a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. With plenty of free parking right out front, getting there is a breeze, and from the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by a colorful, vibrant, and friendly space with a fun nautical theme.

The chalkboard menu is packed with daily specials alongside their regular printed menu, offering a great mix of options—from fresh seafood to creative cocktails. Speaking of cocktails, their selection is fun, colorful, and unique, perfect for pairing with their fresh seafood and incredible oyster selection—arguably the best in town. But if seafood isn’t your thing, don’t worry—they’ve got burgers, chicken, and plenty of choices for land lovers too.

I started with The Grega, a deliciously fresh and generous portion of cold lobster served on a top-sliced roll with butter and a house sauce on the side that added just the right kick. It was the kind of sandwich that makes you slow down and savor every bite.

On a return visit, I had the double-decker crab sandwich, which was just as indulgent as it sounds. Another day, I went for the shrimp and oyster combo, and let me tell you—it was heaven on a plate. I also tried their fish and chips, but instead of traditional fries, I opted for potatoes and sausage, and it was a game-changer. My colleague shared a few of their chicken wings, and I was blown away by the crispy, panko-like texture—absolutely fantastic.

Beyond the food, the island vibe here makes you feel like you’re on vacation. There are regulars who feel like family, and the owner is often present, ensuring perfection in every detail. The staff? Friendly, attentive, helpful, and incredibly knowledgeable—the kind of service that makes a place truly special.

One of the best surprises was how much there is to see and take in while you’re there. The walls are filled with historical menus from Chicago and beyond, plus posters and signs that tell a story. I spent at least 20 minutes just exploring. Another fun touch? The Polaroid wall of oyster lovers—if you eat enough oysters, they take your picture and add it to the collection. One guest recently ate over 100 oysters!

Everything I tried at Shuckin’ Shack was nothing short of perfection—this is the kind of place you visit once and immediately start planning your next trip back. Whether you’re a seafood fanatic or just looking for a welcoming spot with fantastic food and drinks, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Naperville is...

Two friends and I ate at the Shuckin' Shack early Friday night. Here are my observations. As is true with any eatery, there are strengths and weaknesses. We ate very early - around 6. We did not have reservations but they were able to seat us immediately. The restaurant is 'sports bar meets seafood'. Lots of hard surfaces and TVs. It's loud. As the evening wore on it became more crowded and VERY loud. Because of the location, parking is easy which is an advantage over downtown. Their statements about sustainable seafood on the website are important and laudable. After we were seated, our waitstaff was MIA. The manager soon realized we had sat too long so he got someone else to take drink orders and a second person to take our food orders. Our wait person appeared with the food but didn't introduce herself. We had a po boy (shrimp/oyster), a shrimp basket and the lobster roll. We also had one beer each. The food was good. I had the lobster roll. The sandwich appears small, but there was probably a full tail in the sandwich. The remoulade was spicy and good, but a little strong as I wanted the flavor of the meat itself. My companions each liked their sandwich and basket. One beer was in a bottle. The two draft beers came in Stella glasses which is significantly less than served at other locations. Beer costs were $8 each if memory serves. Our total bill for three people was $80 w/o tip. We did not get an itemized receipt. The overall impression of me and my friends was that our experience was OK, but there wasn't anything in particular that would really drive us to come back soon. Prices are not on the website and if the basket and po boy were both about $15 then my market price roll was about $25. Again, without a detailed receipt, it is hard to reconstruct. Overall, I'd say, easier access than downtown. A nice addition to this particular shopping area. The food is good (but not what I'd call stellar) and if you want a beer you are better off with a bottle than a draft. Given our choices, we were a little over $25 a person with about third of that being the cost of our beers. My rating would really be 3.5 stars. Not really 3, but not quite reaching 4 either. As they say, individual mileage...