The iconic Boston-based restaurant brand continues rapid growth with its first Chicago restaurant, slated to open this winter along the Chicago Riverwalk
CHICAGO, IL. – (July 17, 2023) – Legal Sea Foods, the beloved New England seafood brand with over 25 locations along the East Coast, is proud to announce its first brick-and-mortar Chicago restaurant, now officially under construction. The new market entry marks a significant milestone not only for Legal Sea Foods, but also for parent company, PPX Hospitality Brands, which includes another iconic Chicago restaurant, Smith & Wollensky, famously anchored next-door at the base of Marina City along River North.
Located at 315 N. Dearborn Street, along the vibrant Riverwalk in the bustling River North neighborhood at the famous landmark, Marina Towers, Legal Sea Foods’ newest restaurant will be positioned to take advantage of the best that Chicago has to offer, including breathtaking views overlooking the river and close proximity to the city’s top attractions. Legal Sea Foods Chicago is poised to become a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike. The new restaurant follows the success of the brand’s virtual kitchen that was set up in Chicago in 2020 to “test the waters.” Operating out of the Smith & Wollensky kitchen, the PPX team recognized a healthy mid-west appetite for quality, fresh New England style seafood Legal is famous for.
“We are thrilled to bring Legal Sea Foods to Chicago,” said Legal Sea Foods President and COO Matt King. “As part of the PPX Hospitality Brands family, this new location is a true testament to our company’s overall growth and commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences to cities across the country. Chicago’s vibrant dining scene and diverse palate presents a huge opportunity for us to showcase a uniquely “Legal” seafood experience to Chicagoans. We’ll soon be dubbing this new riverfront location our Midwest flagship!”
Boasting two levels of indoor and outdoor dining and uninhibited river views, the expansive space will feature Legal Sea Foods’ signature New England fare, including their famous Inaugural Clam Chowder, Baked Haddock – Anna’s Way, a variety of fresh Oysters, shellfish, and other finfish and plenty of Maine Lobster, including Stuffed Lobster Tails, Half Pound Gulf of Maine Lobster Rolls, and the now-famous Lobster Mac N Cheese. The restaurant will also feature their new Sushi & Sake experience which includes a curated selection of Sake and a variety of hand-rolled sushi, nigiri and sashimi. Guests will also enjoy two distinct and vibrant bar scenes with a variety of great wines by the glass, seasonal, specialty cocktails and a selection of craft brews to include a predictable new favorite: Legally Hazy IPA – created in partnership with Boston’s Night Shift Brewery.
For groups large and small, Legal Sea Foods on the Riverwalk will offer several private dining rooms and spaces with plenty of flexibility and creative menu packages transporting guests back to the ocean for an over-the-top fresh and ‘Legal’ seafood experience they’ll never forget.
For more information and to stay in the know as Legal Sea Foods comes to Chicago, visit legalseafoods.com or follow along on Facebook @LegalSeaFoods, Twitter @LegalSeaFoods, or Instagram @LegalSeaFoods.
About Legal Sea Foods
Seventy years ago, Legal Sea Foods opened as a fish market in Cambridge, MA and has since cast a wider net – now operating 25 restaurants along the east coast as well as its own Quality Control Center on Boston Harbor. Legal Sea Foods’ iconic tagline, “If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t Legal!” speaks to its legendary fanaticism for seafood quality and safety. The restaurants serve over 40 varieties of fresh fish and shellfish throughout the year; the menu highlights quintessential New England fare, including its famous New England Clam Chowder that has been served at nearly every Presidential Inauguration since 1981. To learn more, visit legalseafoods.com.
About PPX Hospitality Brands
PPX Hospitality Brands is a Boston-based hospitality group that includes The Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, The Strega Group and Legal Sea Foods Restaurant Group. To learn more, visit ppxhospitalitybrands.com.
