In a small, unassuming strip mall on the corner of 96th and Pulaski is an even smaller, more unassuming store front, a diamond in the rough.
This tiny hole-in-the-wall looks like nothing more than a deli counter filled with fish and seafood, but further examination proves fruitful.
It was a very fortunate stroke of genius and hunger that drove me and a good friend to stumble upon Wagner’s Seafood. We found the name listed on a GPS and then decided that we were both in the mood for seafood.
The first thing I noticed was the bright, neon “jumbo shrimp” sign and the handwritten “hours of operation” sign on the door.
As we walked in, the intoxicating smell of seafood and fish filled my head. It was not overwhelming, but it was prominent.
Behind the glass of a deli counter is a wide variety of seafood and shellfish, such as salmon, scallops, and shrimp.
Keep in mind that there is neither a table nor chairs, so eating in your car or heading back to campus is required.
There is a handwritten menu on the wall behind the counter, showcasing appetizers and fried fish sandwiches. I indulged in the walleye sandwich with fries and a drink, which cost approximately $7.50.
This was a slight change from my usual catfish sandwich, and I was pleasantly surprised. The walleye is prepared the same way as every other sandwich; it is battered, deep-fried, and placed on a bun with American cheese and tartar sauce.
My friends who accompanied me had the catfish sandwich (my usual favorite), the clam chowder, and I even shared a little of my Maryland crab cake with them.
I have been here before, so I knew exactly what to expect; delicious food and very reasonable prices. (The catfish sandwich with no fries or drink is around $4.00., and the Maryland crab cake is around $2.50).
My friends were very pleasantly surprised and very satisfied with their experience at Wagner’s.
The clam chowder is only served on Fridays, but it is most excellent. It is creamy and not too salty with chunks of clams and potatoes.
Aside from the sandwiches, Wagner’s also serves chicken, baked salmon and orange roughy with rice. There is also a plethora of side dishes to choose from, including potato salad, coleslaw and many more options.
Wagner’s is also home to a freezer that houses king crab legs, potato leek soup, lobster tails and many items that are not on the menu.
The staff is very friendly and very welcoming. The three who are usually there are very accommodating and will treat you like their neighbor.
They will always fry up your sandwich right in front of you, so there is about a 7-8 minute cook time for the food.
Out of all the times I have been here, I have never had an unpleasant meal. Granted that upon eating the walleye I did actually get a small fish bone in the sandwich.
I say that if that is the worst that Wagner’s can do is a small bone in the sandwich, that it is pretty good.
If you’re looking for a five-star surf and turf dinner with a four course meal, Wagner’s is not for you.
However, if you are looking for a taste of New England right here in the Midwest, Wagner’s is the place to go.
You can visit Wagner’s Seafood Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. –8 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m.–7 p.m., and Mondays 10—7 p.m..
For those of you with a GPS, the address is 9626 S. Pulaski Rd, Oak Lawn, Illinois.
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