By Deedee El bego
Right outside the hustling and bustling downtown Naperville there is a beachy getaway that many locals visit to enjoy fresh seafood, have drinks, and of course eat the freshest Oysters around. Located in the plaza on 8 W Gartner Rd, is the Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar of Naperville. A place that makes you feel like you’re somewhere seaside the moment you enter.
A laid-back beachy atmosphere, staff that greet you with warm smiles, and an interior that is fun and meaningful. The decor of the restaurant is a collage of what the place really values. Their “Oyster Wall of Fame”, features polaroids of their Oyster Queen and King, and customers who have eaten ridiculous numbers of oysters and took a photo for proof. One customer, named Jonathon, has become known as “The Oyster King” since setting the shack’s record for 170 raw oysters eaten in one sitting.
The restaurant decor includes a palm tree, repurposed oyster shells, a shark, and many decorative pieces gifted by guests.
You probably could never guess where every piece came from, but owner Kyle Howard would be more than happy to tell you about the stories behind each one. Kyle has been at the shack since it opened 3 years ago and says, “the plaza we’re in is very friendly”. He mentions that everyone at the plaza has been welcoming, especially the restaurant’s neighbors, Kriser’s Natural Pet, and Fantastic Sams. Kyle joked that one of his regulars would come in often when his pet dog had a hair appointment next door.
The Naperville community has been supportive of the restaurant long before they even opened. “I received countless messages on Facebook from people in the area that said they were excited for the place to open up,” said Kyle. Many people have made The Shack their favorite local bar and love catching up with their friends here, especially when there’s a fun event or fundraiser.
One of the many walls dedicated to people’s first oysters, and memories made at the Shack
The Shuckin’ Shack as a company has always participated in fundraising and helping out with local events. This Shuckin’ Shack works with Loaves and Fishes, Edward Hospital, The Leukemia Lymphoma Center (Blood Cancer United), and they host the “Shuck Cancer” Fresh and raw tour. The tour is a fundraising event across all Shuckin’ Shacks in the country. Every fall, two musicians from Nashville who have done amazing songwriting for many top artists travel around the different Shack’s to perform at the restaurants and create an exclusive listening room. They are joined by local singers and it’s always a fun experience to be a part of. They sell tickets for the event, and t-shirts that say, “Shuck Cancer”, all proceeds go to the Leukemia Center.
Employees and customers from a previous year’s “Shuck Cancer”
The Shack also practices sustainability by only using recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable for their takeout items. They also have always sourced their seafood from responsible ocean friendly sources. Their locations on the coast also recycle oyster shells so that they can help with the repopulation and habitats of oysters.
While many people come to the Shuckin’ Shack for fresh raw oysters, many also come for their exceptional burger, the lobster roll, and even ahi tuna. The menu has a large selection of seafood to choose from. It includes shrimp, crab legs, clams, mussels, cod, tuna, and of course, oysters. Yet they also offer chicken wings or tenders, pasta, and even a black bean burger.
While they specialize in seafood many guests often come just for their “Breakwater Burger”. It’s quite large, and topped with onions, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and signature sauce. It also comes with coleslaw and a side of your choice. The sides feature hushpuppies, mac n’ cheese, corn cobette, and more. There really are so many options at this restaurant for everyone at the table.
Since they’ve opened, they’ve accumulated a large number of regulars and gotten to become a larger part of the community. Kyle says, “we enjoy being your neighborhood restaurant and bar.” As a company Shuckin’ Shack has always emphasized the importance of treating people like family. Kyle highlights that this is accomplished by “getting to know our customers on a personal level”. Whether it’s Kyle, or anyone else at the Shack, they want to get to know you. They enjoy sharing stories that will make you laugh and knowing what they can do to improve as well. Kyle tells all his employees that, “How a guest feels when they are here is most important. Treat them like they are at your house, treat them like you’ve known them a long time.”
Kyle pictured with two nice regulars at the Shack
A Walker’s Charhouse menu hangs on the wall as an ode to the restaurant that had been at the location previously for over 20 years. The menu was gifted to the restaurant by a guest who has collected menus from hundreds of different restaurants all through his life. This is just one item that hangs on the wall, but it’s surrounded by so many other cool pieces and memorabilia.
Walker’s Charhouse menu from Monday 8/6/07
They have daily specials like $1.25 Oyster Monday’s, or Friday’s all you can eat Fish and Chips for $24.99. Their Happy Hour is Mon-Fri from 3pm-5pm. The house oyster is the White Stone, but they also offer 7 different varieties. The East Coast Oysters are straight from Chesapeake Bay and Kyle is always excited to have the opportunity to serve fresh oysters that flew out in the morning and got to him by the afternoon. Oysters offered are from the US East Coast, West Coast, and Canada. The restaurant serves oysters raw, steamed, fried, or char grilled.
Kyle says his favorite item on the menu is the Gumbo. “We make it from scratch, I have a cup of it just about every day. It has crab, shrimp, and andouille sausage”. He says they also offer a clam chowder which is especially great for warming up in the winter time.
The Shack is throwing a big Oyster Party for Oyster Day. The party is on August 2nd and features live music, raffles, and a coronation for the Oyster King and Queen. They are also going to be fundraising for Edward Hospital that night to support them as well. Make sure to stop by that day and try out some of the freshest seafood in the area if you haven’t had the chance already.
