Calumet Fisheries resumes operations seven months after devastating fire

CHICAGO – A Southeast seafood institution is officially back in business.

Hundreds of people lined up Saturday to welcome back Calumet Fisheries, which was devastated by an electrical fire in November.

Calumet Fisheries has served Chicagoland and its surrounding suburbs for nearly a century, but after the fire, customers waited seven months to return.

RELATED: Fire breaks out at Calumet Fisheries on 95th Street

Located on 95th Street, even gloomy skies and rain couldn't stop the long line of vehicles.

The devastating fire caused significant damage to the restaurant. Authorities said the cause was likely an accidental electrical problem.

The fire broke out while the renovation work was completed.

“Once we were able to modernize, we were able to open. Two days later a fire broke out,” said Javier Magallanes, a manager.

The restaurant's offerings included frog legs, scallops and one of the most popular dishes, smoked shrimp.

“I ordered a catfish dinner, oysters, scallops and shrimp,” said customer Emma Norise.

Typically on weekends, they see 200 to 300 customers. On Saturday, they hoped to serve about 700, including Norise, who has been a regular since childhood.

“When we were little, we came here every two weeks,” she says.

Vice President Kamala Harris stopped by the store during her visit to Chicago in January 2023 after announcing a $144 million investment in the Calumet River Bridges Project.

The restaurant will be open from 10 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. from Sunday to Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday.