Bob Chinn's Crabhouse Rstrntsimilar businesses >

224-588-8219
Picture for Bob Chinn's Crabhouse Rstrnt
City's Best

393 S Milwaukee Ave
Wheeling, IL 60090
Fax: 847-520-3944

Average Rating 4 (32 Ratings)

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Message from Bob Chinn's Crabhouse Rstrnt

With a vast seafood menu and crab specialty, this restaurant provides "a seafood lover's dream."Visit Citysearch.com

  • Menu
  • Mai Tai
  • Shrimp Special
Editorial Review
by CitySearch Contributor
Wheeling seafood empire packs in hordes of casual diners for super-fresh oysters, chowder and king crab legs.

The Scene
Fasten your seat belt for one of the most stimulating dining experiences in Chicago. No two nights are the same inside this 650-seat Wheeling establishment, which is consistently one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the country. Employing 350 people, from oyster shuckers to highly trained waitstaff, this is a well-oiled operation. The come-as-you-are clientele illustrates a comfortable, albeit hectic environment.

The Food
A mind-boggling daily menu of fresh flown-in seafood features rarities like flaky Hawaiian onaga and melt-in-your-mouth Florida stone crab claws, served on signature plastic plates with flatware from Target. Go easy on Chinn's delicious garlic rolls, which complement every meal. Recommended appetizer: Miniature garlic blue crab claws are a delicacy, as is the thick and creamy--perhaps Chicago's best--clam chowder. Must-have entrees include Hawaiian ahi tuna, served rare on a sizzling platter of sauteed onions, and sweet and tender "Red" King crab legs, Chinn's most popular item.
Insider Tips
from CitySearch

What to Drink
Signature mai tais are popular and potent, and Chinn's serves 850 of them daily. And you can take the cup home.


Save Money
Monday to Thursday, 3:30pm-6pm and 9pm-close, order a drink in the bar and grab a burger, wings, fish kebabs, a half-dozen oysters or clams, and more for just $1.95.


Know Before You Go
Chinn's doesn't take reservations on Saturdays; call ahead to put your name on the "preferred seating" list, which will cut your wait in half.


32 Ratings and Reviews

  • Review rating : 5out of 5   HeiHubba - 06/13/2008

  • Awsome

    Review rating : 5out of 5   Klinebobber - 06/10/2008

    We drive 210 miles from Michigan as often as we can to eat. There is no finer seafood, service or atmosphere! It is casual and always fun.

  • Best seafood in the Midwest

    Review rating : 5out of 5   Hess1962 - 06/06/2008

    Anyone who doesn't like Bob's is a food snob. Sure, they have paper napkins and prompt service, but we've NEVER felt hurried and ALWAYS had a warm welcome threre. The only mistake Chinn ever made in the food business was their short-lived restauant on the river in downtown Chicago...too stuffy and formal. We drive three hours and stay overnight nearby just to eat at Chinn's in Wheeling

  • Yummy

    Review rating : 4out of 5   k2thelo1985 - 02/27/2008

    Bob chinns is AWESOME! everyone now and then has a bad experience at a restaurant, paper napkins and baskets aside the food is delicious! would you rather have crap food on fancy china? come on people..
    Pricey? you get what you pay for. If you dont want to spend a lot of money, go to Taco Bell.

  • crybabys

    Review rating : 5out of 5   sonshineonme07 - 01/17/2008

    you guys who say it is overpriced are just hilarious. Supply and demand my friends.....if people are waiting in the cold for an hour to eat there, and I know people who REGULARLY drive over an hour and a half to eat at Chinn's, then guess what? It is not over priced!

  • Awful

    Review rating : 1out of 5   gsaknollie - 07/09/2007

    Bob Chinn's is just awful. Plastic cups for your drinks. They take something that used to swim.....cook it beyond recognition....cover it with butter and garlic....and call it seafood.

    Worst seafood restaurant ever.

  • Yuch Yuch Yuch!!!

    Review rating : 2out of 5   dianae717 - 06/23/2007

    Have eaten there several times! The restaurant is set up like a cafeteria and you are hauled in like cattle! Their motto is to get you in - then get you out.!
    If you are looking for a place to relax a little while you dine -- forget it! Their grilled fish is coated in flour! They serve FROZEN corn. The napkins are paper towels that are used to dry your hands in the restrooms!! The bread is served (in garlic grease) on wax paper in a cheap red plastic hot dog/FF basket! Not healthy smart. Pappadeaux is much better!

  • TOPS in many respects!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   bobbiz851 - 05/16/2007

    Seafood by far the very best anywhere I've eaten. Try the Oysters Rockerfeller if you like this appitizer anywhere else, you will be in absolute HEAVEN. By far the absolute best I've ever had and since having there's, will never order it anywhere else again! There's is definately the tastiest anywhere. There Lobster is outstanding, any of the Crab superb, and yes, you will have garlic breath with the dinner rolls covered in minced garlic and olive oil...but who cares, it's yummy! I have never ordered anything at Bob Chins that wasn't perfection. If we could afford it, we would eat there every week. But, alas, the downside; prices are steep, at least for our family. If you can make it for lunch, normally, there is no waiting while at dinner time, expect to camp out before you can get a table. I do like the fact that you can order lobster by the weight and type, which allows you to cut corners a little bit, but if you can afford it, get the big ones! They all are perfection and you won't want it to end. In my opinion, Shaws doesn't compare to Bob Chins and we are fortunate to have this great seafood available to us in the Midwest. My S/O doesn't like seafood, but totally loves their Steaks and Chops so also is a happy camper when we go there. It's just fine food, no matter what you get. So if you are like us, and can't afford it on a regular basis, go there for special occations at least, you won't be disappointed in the food. If you don't like waiting, again, go at lunchtime, prices are a little less at lunch also. Happy dining!

  • best

    Review rating : 5out of 5   itsmary88 - 04/11/2007

    Wonderful seafood! This food is truly excellent. Though it could be a long wait, it is well worth it. Very fresh and delicious.

  • The best nation wide

    Review rating : 5out of 5   jimnsandym - 03/14/2007

    We travel 9 months out of the year in our motor home, and seek out good seafood resturants, we have yet found any as good as Bob Chinn's.

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