Rubino's Seafood

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  I've heard nothing but good things about this place. Unfortunately my first experience with their fish has been terrible.
  Purchased:
  1lb Monkfish: was really fishy and awful smelling. First night- rinsed, patted dry  and prepared to recipe. Had to toss whole meal was so Rank . Total waste. Happy Birthday love here's some rotten fish!
  1lb Scallops: Second night - were so metallic tasting I couldn't eat them, but my boyfriend did and proceded to get sick all night and next day.
  
  Will NEVER shop at this establishment again! Proceed with caution.

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  Posted on 03.01.13 India M.

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  Okay here is the deal with this place, it is one of the best places to get fish in the city.  However that statement comes with a huge caveat; that is you better know how to buy fish and better know what fish/shell fish are in season.  If you are buying oysters in spring time here know that, it is not the best season, thus are going to taste different than during the fall(proper time) to buy them.  Also do not that the price is not going to be the best either, many times you may find the same quality cheaper at another place; however I will state that the selection will be better at Rubino's.  Lastly they have a place for pretty much a buck a fish they will scale and gut the fish; which if anyone has ever done before 3/4 of the work of buying whole fish.  Overall I am stuck with the rating I would def give this place 3 and 3/4 stars but can not so I am putting three stars.

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  Posted on 02.20.13 John W.

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  Life changing is how my boyfriend described it.  But seriously, we won't be buying seafood anywhere else now that we've been here...and that's a life change!  Everything here was fresh and at great prices.  We bought mammoth fresh scallops at $12/lb, mussels at $8 for 2bs, tuna at ~$15/lb and salmon at $8/lb.  They also had an assortment of smoked items, the biggest shrimp I've ever seen, oysters, and many other fish varieties.  They take credit cards.
  
  We also stopped by Isaacson at the corner of Halsted & Fulton on our walk home.  In comparison, Rubino's smelled better and had lower prices on some items.  Isaacson had a larger selection, though many were whole fish, which is something we aren't yet ready to tackle...baby steps.  Isaacson had some items at the same price as Rubino's and some at higher prices, and also had a larger selection of frozen goods.  I'm sure both are great neighborhood options!

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  Posted on 11.17.12 Jessica Y.

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  I live for this place. I cannot fathom how anyone could complain about the prices when comparing it to any seafood restaurant in Chi - not to mention the quality and freshness is beyond superior. Some of the most beautiful looking scallops I've ever seen, BIG (delicious) shrimp, and I can never not buy an embarrassing number of oysters every time I go.
  
  PS - I definitely would not take advice from anyone who complains about a fish market's aesthetically pleasing decor. It's a fish market, people. In my experience, the sketchier looking the warehouse, the better the seafood.

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  Posted on 09.12.12 Gia A.

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  Fresh in the Midwest!!!  If it's possible to get it, they've got it.  Shrimp as big as your hand, monkfish (wtf?), swordfish, you name it.
  
  Rubino's is a distributor supplying restaurants and other markets in the city. You shop the cooler in the warehouse. Grab and bag yourself.  And no, those aren't bags of potatoes on the floor. Clams, muscles, oysters, and lord knows what other freshly captured treasures hang here. I don't know about y'all, but I have all my seafood needs covered!
  
  Btw, monkfish is really good. It tastes very much like lobster, but for much less $$.

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  Posted on 08.15.12 Alden V.

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  I've passed this place a bunch of times on my way to Olympic or Northwest Cutlery, but today I finally went in.  I picked up a LB of some gorgeous shrimp and a perfect 1/2 LB tuna steak for 20 bucks.  Scallops, oysters, and mussels also looked great.  I will definitely have to pick up some next time I'm down there.  I think I found my new goto spot for seafood.  Rubino's is clutch.

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  Posted on 04.07.12 Jesse F.

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  I was there today and bought some grouper, mahi mahi, sea bass and tilapia.  I asked the man if the tilapia was from China, because so much of it is imported from there, and he assured me that none of their fish is from China.  The tilapia is farm raised in Virginia.  I made the grouper tonight for dinner and it was very good.  So anytime I'm down that way in the morning or afternoon I plan to be back for more fresh fish.

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  Posted on 03.12.12 Marlene K.

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  Atmosphere: something to be desired.
  
  Prices: great, but you get what you pay for.
  
  We tried the shrimp out (which was around a dollar or so cheaper than Isaacson's down the street), and not only did it have a chemical smell and feel slightly mushy to the touch, but it gave my bf a stomach cramp. Definitely going to stick to the excellent seafood at Isaacson & Stein a block away!

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  Posted on 02.06.12 C H.

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  Great place to get fresh fish at a fantastic price. I come here almost every year for shrimp based on quality. I can get an almost comparable price at Costco, but shrimp at Rubinos are a better quality and size.
  
  This place is not fancy. It is a fresh food warehouse and freezing cold. Everyone who works here are really nice. I can usually score parking out front on Lake Street or at the meter on Halsted.

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  Posted on 12.20.11 Julie O.

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  Your friendsSherrie Rago-Accomando
  TO ALL MY ITALIAN FRIENDS WHO MAKE PESCE' ON CHRISTMAS EVE..WORTH
  THE TRIP TO RUBINO'S ON LAKE & HALSTED IN THE CITY ... THE NICEST GUYS YOU EVER WANT TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS TOO... THEY WILL BE OPEN ON SATURDAYS FROM 9 TIL 1 PM TILL NEW YEARS ... OK, TAKE THE RIDE, THEN STOP AT SUPERIOR BAKERY OR D'AMATS FOR BREAD & PIZZA
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  Posted on 11.28.11 sherrie r.

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  They were super helpful here! I think I may be spoiled by the East Coast when it comes to variety - I felt that there weren't a ton of options. But the fish they did have was fresh and delicious, and the prices were great.

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  Posted on 10.28.11 Heather M.

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  If you want seafood this is place to go. It is a warehouse the man that help me was so nice and funny. Bring a cooler but they will give you a bag ice small not a ton. The prices are low if you love seafood this is the place.
  
  TRUST ME!

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  Posted on 10.08.11 Enrique F.

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  Keep in mind, this place is basically a warehouse. There is nothing fancy about Rubino's. You walk in and it's little more than fish on ice. You grab some plastic gloves and a few bags, browse around, and take what you want. Salmon, scallops, shrimp .. you name it, they have it. The prices are surprisingly low as well. And while they may not sing you happy birthday, they will give you a bag of ice for your cooler (oh, you should definitely bring a cooler).
  
  The only downside -- which isn't their fault -- is to remember that fresh fish with no preservatives does not last long unless you freeze it when you get home. Otherwise, you probably have 2-3 days tops before it goes sour.

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  Posted on 07.19.11 Neil O.

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  I walked by this place for four years but thankfully something inspired me to go in yesterday. What beautiful fish! and reasonably priced, too. My favorite seafood is swordfish and theirs looked so fresh. However, I didn't have time to grill so I got some walleye, also a favorite. I sauteed it that night and it was perfection, sweet and flaky.
  
  They had a nice variety of fresh fish, including shellfish, to choose from and the sign said that had even more available frozen. The people who worked there were very helpful, too. This is now my only place to get seafood. Nothing else compares.

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  Posted on 05.25.11 Theresa O.

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  Oh why do I keep purchasing over priced seafood of questionable quality from Jewel when this place is located only a couple of blocks from my house? I'm just lazy but never again.
   
  This morning I stopped in to grab some fish for dinner, the selection of seafood is amazing and insanely fresh.  For $10.50 I dashed out with 2 large fillets of fresh Red Snapper, looks like enough to feed 4.
   
  Don't expect anything fancy here, I imagine most of their seafood is sold wholesale to local restaurants, just step into the walk in cooler and be amazed at the selection and pricing. I can't wait to fire up my grill tonight.
  
  3 things that will make me return often - selection, price and friendly service.

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  Posted on 04.07.11 Gary C.

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  I like Rubino's a lot.  They have good seafood and their prices are very very reasonable.  And the people are very friendly.  The first time I went in I was a little intimidated by what to do.  Just hold your head up high, put on your plastic gloves, grab a bag, and go to town.  Everytime I'm in there I want to buy everything because it looks so good.
  If you can get there to buy your seafood (8-4 on weekdays, 9-1 on Saturday) it's so worth it.  Try to go here instead of Jewell or Dominicks.  The quality and price is so much better

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  Posted on 01.03.11 julie q.

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  I'm with Mark A... how does this place not have 100 reviews?  
  
  I have lived in the West Loop for two years now and every time we drive down Halsted I see their huge signs advertising jumbo shrimp really cheap and always swear one day I will go in.  However, the shrimp counter at Jewel always seems so much more convenient and less intimidating than all of the shops on Lake and Fulton Market.  
  
  This weekend, after our stop at Bari, we went to Rubino's.  After parking across the street we spent a good 5 minutes debating whether the plastic curtained door was actually the door we were supposed to go in.  It was.  I was frightened.
  
  After that door, there is a pretty sparse room with a couple counters and another curtain saying "Enter Here".  Still a little apprehensive, I looked around and no one was there so we ventured in.  Shrimp, fish, oysters, clams, everything just laying out waiting for you to dive in.
  
  A guy who worked there came in behind us and I told him we'd never been there before and asked him if we were in the right place?  He said yep, of course.  Pointed to the freezer menu on the wall and said if we needed any of that to just holla and they would go fetch it.  Otherwise, there are the gloves and the bags and have at it.  So we did.
  
  11 jumbo shrimp came to $8.60... wow.  We grilled those bad boys with bacon and bbq sauce and I think we even impressed my hard to please dad on Father's Day.  WIN.
  
  So come back and don't be a pansy like I was.  They are super nice and the prices are great.  I can only comment on the quality of the shrimp but seriously, top notch.

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  Posted on 06.21.10 Mandy A.

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  This is more of an wholesaler than an actual fish shop, so don't be taken aback by the no frills aspect of the place.
  
  That said, the prices and quality are top notch.  A pretty formidable selection to the retail shopper, you can purchase by the pound a whole variety of fishes and crustaceans simply by bagging your own in the walk-in cooler and then taking it up front to the cashier.
  
  Try not to go overboard with how "cheap" everything seems compared to the grocery store.  Fish perishes quickly, so unless you're going to freeze the stuff, you probably only want to buy one or two dinners at a time.
  
  As mentioned in other posts, the hours aren't tailored to suit your needs, but for someone who either works or lives in the area, or wants to make a special trip here for a fishtastic dinner, it's worth your while.

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  Posted on 04.12.10 Zac B.

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  If you love seafood, but hate the prices at Jewel - come here.  The quality and prices make Rubino's the best deal in town.  $35 dollars for 5 pounds of Alaskan King Crab!  The service is great.  Be prepared to spend more than you thought you would.  From oysters to tuna, you will end up buying enough food for the month.  Stop overpaying at grocery stores or Joe's Crab Shack.  I will be coming back here for all my seafood.

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  Posted on 03.02.10 Bruce B.

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  How does this place not have more reviews?
  
  Literally 3 blocks from West Loop Dominick and the Jewelz where you'd seriously overpay for fresh fish...or even frozen fish.
  
  These guys are great.  They're helpful and friendly.  A cold freezing warehouse with hunks of fresh maritime corpse can be a little intimidating and daunting.  But it's not.  Put your plastic gloves on, grab a bag and just start piling it in there.
  
  Halibut, swordfish, catfish filets, ahi tuna, bluefin tuna, grouper, salmon, lobster...and "srimp."  All fresh and usually on a regular basis.  They also have it frozen if you want it.  Just request so and so many pounds of it.
  
  This place is great.  Since I've gone, I don't eat the red meat no 'mo.  Chicken?  Maaaybe.
  
  Get your Omega-3 on baby.

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  Posted on 07.06.09 Mark A.

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  Rubino's is not really setup as a retail operation but the prices are inexpensive and the quality is good.  They sell out of a freezer, in a industrial/warehouse environment.
  
  If you've been to Peoria Packing or Isaacson &Stein, Rubino's "ambiance" is two notches below...however their product is good and inexpensive.

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  Posted on 06.05.09 C C.

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  I've bounced around the city trying to find a reliable place to buy seafood. In the past few weeks, on separate visits, I've bought tuna, salmon, red snapper, octopus and shrimp. All turned our really good.
  The prices are incredible - whole foods tuna steak: $24.99/lb. Rubino's - $12. The only drawback is the hours. No evening hours during the week and only 9-1 saturday's. Worth the trip.

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  Posted on 03.13.09 Bishop of B.

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