Schulder's Sea Food Inn

Culled from: Drury, John. Dining in Chicago, New York: The John Day Company, 1931, pp. 116-117.

Note: The Newberry Library holds the personal papers of author John Drury.

SCHULDER'S SEA FOOD INN, 172 North Clark Street

Schulder's is the best known and most popular sea food restaurant on the Rialto. But it has us puzzled. We can't make up our mind as to which serves the best planked Lake Superior whitefish in the Loop — the Rainbo Sea Food Grotto, in South Dearborn Street, or Schulder's. We've tried both, and the question still remains in our mind. With your kind permission, we shift this weighty gastronomical question to your shoulders and bid you try to find the answer yourself.

In any case, the Lake Superior whitefish served here is a milestone in your gustatory career. Such tender and sweet-tasting food, done to just the right turn by a chef who is nothing if not skillful. You have not tasted the best in sea food until you have made short work of a Lake Superior whitefish as prepared at Schulder's.

But they have other sea foods here just as thrilling. To attempt a description of the a la carte menu — and it is large and varied — would be like trying to name all the fishes in Shedd Aquarium. We could devote no end of space to eulogies over their fried Lake Michigan perch; their Florida pompano is also excellent; and the fresh shrimps a la De Jonghe are admirable and completely satisfying. All forms of oysters, clams, shrimps, scallops and crabs are here, as well as New England lobsters — from lobster cocktail (90 cents) to lobster Bordelaise ($2.25).

Go into Schulder's any evening for dinner and you are sure to find some luminary of the stage, or of the political world, at one of the tables. Mike Schulder — fat and amiable — has many friends among both classes and is well-liked by all. There is another Schulder's establishment at 17 South Dearborn Street.

Maitre d'hotel: Mike Schulder