40 Years of Shaw’s Crab House

It's going to be a shuckin' good celebration

Let’s be honest, Shaw’s Crab House is a shucking icon, at least in our eyes! The beloved Chicago seafood institution, known for its dedication to sourcing high-quality seafood and oysters, proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary this spring.

You’re invited to join the festivities at the River North Restaurant from Monday, April 7 – Friday, April 11, which will include throwback menu items available for a limited time only, live music and other special events honoring the rich history and culinary excellence of Shaw’s.

For more details on the 40th anniversary celebration at Shaw’s in Chicago, click here.

Over the past four decades, Shaw’s has served more than 10 million oysters, welcomed 8 million guests, and earned its reputation as one of the premier seafood destinations in Chicago and the U.S. The restaurant has been a pioneer in sourcing sustainable seafood and forming longstanding relationships with fishermen and purveyors from coast-to-coast. Written on the back of every menu since day-one is the restaurant’s guiding principle: “It’s the quality.” 

As one of the first oyster bars to open in Chicago, Shaw’s was the brainchild of Lettuce Founder Rich Melman, Executive Chairman Kevin Brown, Managing Partner Steve LaHaie and Executive Chef and Partner Yves Roubard. Their shared food philosophy of quality over trends and letting the product speak for itself, is what has created the restaurants’ legacy and attracted generations of loyal diners.

“When we set out to create Shaw’s, we knew the menu wouldn’t try to be trendy, but instead we wanted to focus on quality first and highlight the simplicity of the seafood and oysters. The menu has always been inspired by the best of the United States seaports, drawing inspiration from Boston, New Orleans, the Florida Keys, San Francisco, and of course, the Great Lakes,” said Executive Chairman Kevin Brown. “From very early on, it was important to us to build personal relationships with fishermen, purveyors, oyster farmers and seafood historians, and to educate our staff on the seasonality of the fish. These relationships have been the building blocks of the culinary culture that has made Shaw’s one of the most celebrated restaurants in Chicago.”

The weeklong celebration at Shaw’s in Chicago from April 7 – 11 promises to be a shuckin’ good time: 

Monday, April 7 – Friday, April 11Available in the Oyster Bar and Main Dining Room, an exclusive Shaw’s 40th Anniversary throwback menu will bring back iconic dishes such as Clams Casino, Sautéed Frog Legs, Blue Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Jambalaya, 12 varieties of oysters on the half shell and more. To view the full Shaw’s 40th Anniversary throwback menu, click here.

Tuesday, April 8Join us for a Champagne and Oyster Experience from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM hosted by Shaw’s Beverage Director and Partner Kevin Bratt, featuring four champagnes paired with Hama Hama and Island Creek Oysters. This cocktail reception-style event is $99.95 per person, plus tax (gratuity not included). Click here to purchase tickets to the Champagne and Oyster Experience.

Thursday, April 10Live music returns to Shaw’s Oyster Bar, kicking off with a special performance by Chicago blues legend Big Dog Mercer from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The performance will mark the return of live music to the Oyster Bar every Thursday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM. For more information on Shaw’s weekly music line-up, click here.

Friday, April 11Join us for a day full of celebrations with live blues performances from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM in the Oyster Bar, featuring roaming oyster shuckers serving rare and specialty oysters. Guests in the main dining room can enjoy live music from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM and can indulge in a Tableside Martini with Caviar Service for $40, plus tax. Check out the music schedule and more here.

As we look toward our future, we can’t help but look back at all the milestone moments that helped define Shaw’s as one of the nation’s top seafood destinations:

December 1984: Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago opens the Oyster Bar. 

1984: T. Melvin is commissioned to create a mural capturing the CityScape of Chicago through an Art Deco lens; this iconic illustration is now the label of the Shaw’s housemade hot sauce. 

April 1985: Shaw’s Crab House in Chicago opens the Main Dining Room. 

1988: Shaw’s celebrates its very first Oyster Fest on Hubbard Street in River North.

1989: Shaw’s becomes the very first restaurant to serve Goose Island Beer on tap.

1997: The Oyster Bar launches live blues music, which becomes a mainstay every Thursday night.

2000: Shaw’s opens its second location in Schaumburg, IL.

2003: Chef Naoki Nakashima creates the original sushi menu for Shaw’s in Chicago. 

2008: Late Partner Sara Rowe introduces what became Shaw’s (former) iconic Sunday Brunch. 

2021: Shaw’s welcomes the Shedd Aquarium Penguins for a tour. 

2023: The show-stopping Tableside Whole Norwegian King Crab service becomes a daily menu offering.

The truth is, we couldn’t have made it to 40 without our loyal guests and incredible employees at Shaw’s Crab House, so thank you for all of your support over the last four decades. And cheers to 40 more years! To make a reservation or view the menus at Shaw’s Crab House visit www.shawscrabhouse.com or follow on Instagram @shawscrabhouse.