WEST LOOP — Lobster rolls, lobster boils, lobster mac and cheese — there's a whole lot of lobster coming to the West Loop.
Known for its lobster and seafood, the "coastal and casual" Smack Shack will officially open Thursday in the 1K Fulton building, 1000 W. Fulton Market. The new restaurant is in the northeast corner of the development next to Boka Group and B. Hospitality steakhouse Swift & Sons.
Reservations are required during opening week. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at 312-973-1336. Full dinner service without reservations will begin April 26.
At Smack Shack, the centerpiece — both figuratively and literally — is the lobster boil. A custom metal 100-gallon boil filled with a simmering broth of Old Bay seasoning and onions sits at the center of the new 10,000-square-foot restaurant, ready to cook up mesh bags filled with lobster, shrimp, Alaskan King crab, Andouille sausage, red potatoes and corn on the cob. The seafood boil is served with griddled milk bread, coastal slaw and drawn butter.
Other menu items include seafood staples and Chicago-inspired dishes, including a Leon’s of Chicago Andouille sausage po’ boy with tomato, onion, lettuce, lemon aioli on D’amato’s Bread; baked oysters with Pernod butter and garlic breadcrumbs; and ramp mussels with ramp butter, lemon, chili flake and toasted baguette.
The lobster boil at Smack Shack, which opens Thursday in the 1K Fulton building. [Francis Son]
The restaurant's seasonal drink menu will feature creative drinks inspired by the coasts (a Hurricane makes the cut) and a range of local and craft beers.
Outfitted with lobster nets, cages and beach fencing, the restaurant's beachside decor is inspired by the original “Smack” boats designed to catch and bring in lobster. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant seats 300.
Chef and co-owner Josh Thoma said the Chicago restaurant, Smack Shack's second location, reminds him of the chain's Minneapolis roots. Thoma partnered with Chicago-based Four Corners Tavern Group to open the new Chicago spot.
“The West Loop feels very similar to our North Loop location in Minneapolis, which made this feel like a natural, great fit for our team and our concept," Thoma said. "We’re looking forward to sharing our coastal menu and casual, welcoming vibe with the area."
Before opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in February 2013, Smack Shack operated as a food truck and through a partnership with The 1029 Bar in Minneapolis. The fare was featured on the Food Network TV show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" in 2010.
The bar at Smack Shack, located in the 1K Fulton building in the West Loop. [Francis Son]
The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner Mondays-Fridays and weekend brunch Saturdays and Sundays.
Smack Shack first announced the restaurant would open a West Loop location in August.
Sterling Bay's 1000 W. Fulton Market development is also known as the Google building, a nod to one of the building's main tenants.
The lobster boil at Smack Shack in the West Loop. [Smack Shack]
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