[Photograph: dirksfish.com] I once spent an entire day during the summer sitting on my couch watching an entire season of Deadliest Catch, the reality show about crab fisherman. The chain smoking of boat captain Phil Harris of the crab boat... More

[Photograph: Michael Nagrant] Though we are surrounded by the azure majesty of Lake Michigan, Chicago is generally not a seafood kind of town. Fed-Ex and dry ice have done wonders for the scene, but it's still pretty rare to find... More

[Photographs: Nick Kindelsperger] Hagen's Fish Market 5635 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago IL 60634 (map); 773-283-1944 The Short Order: Fresh seafood, whether freshly fried or gorgeously smoked. Want Fries with That? Of the fried options, the fries don't really stand... More

In Standing Room Only, the author visits Chicago's best seatless eateries. Have at it, Nick. Calumet Fisheries 3259 E 95th St, Chicago IL 60617 (map); 773-933-9855 The Short Order: Intoxicating smoked shrimp and freshly fried seafood. Want Fries with That?... More

Photograph courtesy of Phillip Foss Anya Von Bremzen recently wrote a piece in Food & Wine inquiring whether, with all the high end chefs slumming at the low end these days, we really need the pomp and circumstance of... More