Old seafood place close to Navy Pier?
I used to go to a place pretty close to Navy Pier for fried seafood take-out when my Dad worked in the Amoco building. Its been closed for years, but I cant remember the name, maybe Rocco's. Anybody remember this place?
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My Name is Joe Panzo. Rocky was my grandfather. Our business was called Rocky's Bait Shop. We were located at the lake front, on Streetor Dr. Directly in line with Dime pier, and just to the right of Navy Pier. Rocky's was family owned and operated by my grandfather, my uncles, and my father. We were commercial perch fishermen on lake Michigan also.
And yes we did have the best fried shrimp in Chicago.›5 Replies-
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re: fishman1
I spent most of my time down at Rockys and knew Rocky and his sons Paul and John very well.Rocky would keep his boat the LA ROSA tied up in front of the shop and we would go out perch fishing often..For the last year and a half i took the Navy Pier fishermen out with John Foley on his boat to the lighthouse for perch fishing..I have alot of pictures of Rockys and the shop....I drive by every week and miss it more and more..I even have a few pictures of Pete the Greek that ran the trailer and the small place on the pier
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re: JSM
Rocky's was on the water AT the pier. You would remember it by the smell of the lake or the outside picnic table. Rocky's was no Al's either was the Well's Fish house on Wells and Grand, which had a 2ft sign at the register which said "This is not Al's Fishery".
Al's was across from Kraft Foods at 416 E. Grand. That's about 100 feet east of McClurg Ct. on the north side of the street.
Al's did NOT sell river shrimp (fresh water shrimp). Al's did sell Gulf shrimp, specificly 26/30 gulf browns from Texas City. Al's Fisher only used the best ingredients like whole fresh eggs and fresh garlic, each batch was hand breaded with toasted Gonnela French bread crumbs (I know I did it).
When the shrimp came out of the fryer, you poured a 2 oz cup of sweet and hot tasty shrimp sauce into the bag and shook it. The finished product tasted like a breaded cocktail shrimp that had been friend and candied; because that was what it was.
I have been to resturants all over the world and have never tasted the equivalent flavors.
p.s. There is no lake shrimp in Lake Michigan. Shrimp from lakes (commonly called fresh water shrimp) is more often than not a desirable product to eat fried. Prawns, for example that come from fresh water usually must be broiled or they are mealy.
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