Mystery Diner in St. Charles: Chums Shrimp Shack reels in seafood lovers

Launched just four months ago in St. Charles, Chums Shrimp Shack has had patrons lining up for the fresh catch of seafood dishes designed to be a pure treat.

The restaurant, on the south side of Route 64, just east of the intersection with Randall Road, has an expansive parking lot. Customers order at the counter in the bright, casual interior with its handful of long tables for dining in, amid decor studded with fun nautical touches. The kitchen produces every item made to order, so allow a little time. Many of the dishes are served by the half pound or full pound.

For our first experience at Chums, we phoned in our takeout request, and came home bearing a grilled walleye entree, grilled shrimp done Italian style, and a Surf and Turf lobster cheesesteak, which amps up a lobster roll with filet mignon.

We started by sharing a half pound of the Shrimp Italiano, made with nicely sized grilled Gulf shrimp, Italian spices, garlic butter and white wine. Sprinkled with herbs, the tail-on shrimp were beautifully prepared.

My dining companion was pleased with his Surf and Turf handheld, with its chunks of Maine lobster and filet mignon paired with cheese, red and green peppers, spicy mayo and cilantro on a terrific roll.

I recommend the grilled, Mediterranean walleye. The half-pound order was a generous, thick filet featuring Canadian walleye with Greek spices, lemon butter and white wine. The firm whitefish was delicately prepared and tender. I ordered it atop the colorful and mild cabbage salad, which the restaurant makes with red and green cabbage, carrots, cilantro and lime juice. It’s a bright, crunchy pairing for the fish.

Chums Shrimp Shack’s grilled seafood items come served over a choice of cabbage salad or fries.

Given its name, the restaurant obviously pays special attention to that favorite shellfish – shrimp – also available in a variety of hand-breaded styles, from coconut and beer-battered to crispy. They can be selected as regular, lemon pepper or spicy.

A rainbow of 10 sauces made in-house can be ordered to complement the seafood. They include such variations as Shack Sauce, sriracha tartar, jerk ranch, barbecue, pina colada, sweet and sour, and Boom Boom.

And there are plenty of other temptations, from lobster rolls and fried calamari to smelts, catfish or clam strips, oysters, Icelandic cod, shrimp quesadillas and a mojito lime wrap. “The Chum” sandwich sounds like a mouthful with andouille sausage, grilled Cajun shrimp, red and green peppers, bacon, cheese blend, sriracha mayo and cilantro on a po’ boy roll, finished with fresh-squeezed lemon juice.

Given the caliber of the superlative fries, which were lightly coated with a flavorful, subtle seasoning, we can’t wait to be lured back to try the fried shrimp next.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Chums Shrimp Shack

WHERE: 2115 W. Main St., St. Charles

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

INFORMATION: 224-484-8098, chumsshrimpshack.com