Chicago's Best Oyster Deals

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jun 7, 2013 4:00PM

We've been on an insane oyster kick this summer. Despite what you might have heard, in the age of refrigerated transportation there's no reason not to eat oysters in the R-free summer months, and there's nothing more refreshing than slurping down a dozen on a hot day.

Here's the problem for foodies on a budget: Oysters can get pretty pricy. At the same time, you have to be careful when you see "discount oysters." Oysters can make you very, very unhappy if they aren't handled properly, so it's important to eat them at restaurants that are careful and, preferably, go through a fair number of them.

Here are our favorite oysters deals in Chicago.

Vera
Every Monday, you can pair your oysters with Vera's amazing sherry selection. Oysters are on sale for $1 each.

Shaw's Crab House
This may be the best deal, price-wise, in town. Sit in Shaw's fabulous old-fashioned oyster bar and, from 4 to 6 p.m., enjoy a 50 percent discount on one East and one West coast oyster selection every night. A dozen oysters and a martini will run you about $25.

Pops for Champagne
This deal flies a bit under the radar. Oysters and champagne are a natural combination, and Pops, not a place known for its bargains, has a great oyster deal every weekday. Between 3 and 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, oysters are only $1 each.

Devon Seafood Grill
In addition to lots of other great happy hour food specials, Devon boasts $1 "chef's choice" oysters and $3 lobster claws from 4 to 7 p.m. every weekday.

The Half Shell
The Half Shell is one of our favorite under-rated Chicago seafood spots. It's a little grimy, it's in a basement and it's entirely unpretentious. But the seafood is fresh and the deals are great. Prices change every day, but their oysters are guaranteed to be a better deal than almost anywhere else in town - and you don't have to go at a special time of day.

Tavernita
If you enjoy your oysters with a touch of scene, check out "Buck-a-Shuck" at Tavernita. From 5-7 p.m. every day, oysters are $1 each.

Three Aces
Every Tuesday from 4-6 p.m., Three Aces sells off its oysters for $1 each. There's usually a great wine special and their pizzettas are only $12. Those are the makings for a heck of a Tuesday.

With these deals, if you can't get your oyster fix, you're doing something wrong. Know any more? Leave them in the comments.