Chicago's beloved seafood dining spot, Calumet Fisheries, is temporarily closed due to a rodent infestation as reported by the Chicago Tribune. The Chicago Department of Public Health ordered closure following an inspection that revealed around 400 rat and mice droppings and an additional 150 one week later. The owners are currently taking corrective measures to clear the violation and plan to reopen in the coming weeks.
Located at 3259 East 95th Street, the 75-year-old Calumet Fisheries sadly had to close its doors. Mark Kotlick, co-owner, shared his frustration over the closure, suggesting that the aging building's conditions should be considered. Despite this incident, which Kotlick claims is a first for the establishment, he is dedicated to addressing the issues, reopening the restaurant, and concurrently undergoing a remodeling process. This information is mentioned in the reports by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Besides the substantial rodent issue, a minor facility violation for things like dripping faucets and broken floor tiles was also cited at Calumet Fisheries. Action is being taken to block basement holes to avoid additional rodent entries, and an exterminator has been called in to address the pest issue. Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the health inspectors' treatment, Kotlick vows to attend to violation report items as reported in the Chicago Sun-Times.
While the restaurant has been forced to temporarily halt its operations, Calumet Fisheries has received supportive messages from its customers. In its decades-long history, which included smoking and frying seafood since 1948 and earning the America's Classics Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2010, it hosted famous visitors, including Vice President Kamala Harris in January 2023 and Anthony Bourdain in 2009 as documented by the Chicago Tribune.
This represents a setback for Calumet Fisheries in its longstanding relationship with the Chicago community. Though the business and its dedicated customers bear disappointment, the owners didn't lose sight of their commitment to address the health violations in order to swiftly reopen and serve their award-winning seafood, enhancing their 75-year legacy.
