Lawrence Fish Market, the popular sushi and seafood destination serving maki rolls, nigiri and sashimi at wholesale prices, is opening a second location in Chicago, this one at 234 W. 31st Street in Bridgeport.
Unlike the original iteration—one of the best places for sushi and cheap eats in Chicago—the new outpost will be a sit-down restaurant, moving away from its takeout-only model. Expect a mix of counter and waiter service.
"We’re modernizing our approach while keeping the same high standards we’re known for," said business operations manager Sandy Yang in an official statement. "This new location will allow us to serve more people in a vibrant community, catering to those who couldn’t easily travel to our original spot.”
Scheduled to debut in early October, the restaurant will also introduce new menu items: A ramen bar will be dishing out house-made noodles "designed to appeal to both traditional Japanese tastes and American palates," according to an official release. Soon, the menu will expand even further, adding bubble tea and poke bowls to its roster of offerings.
Of course, the popular sushi items will continue to be the pillar of the restaurant—from specialty rolls like the Godzilla (made with shrimp tempura, avocado and spicy mayo, topped with broiled eel and crunch) and Miami (deep-fried salmon with unagi and cream cheese) to sashimi options, which include otoro, amaebi and uni.
The fish served will be sourced from markets all around the world, emphasizing Lawrence Fish Market's devotion to quality and freshness. What's more, Takashi Iida, a renowned sushi chef who has honed his craft in Japan, will be at the helm of the on-site operations.
Overall, expect the space to be an ode to top-notch fish, just as when the original Lawrence Fish Market launched in 1980 as a seafood wholesaler.
"When sushi first started gaining popularity, it wasn’t viewed as the delicacy it is today. Many people couldn’t afford it," said Yang. "Our goal has always been to share our family's culture and heritage. That is why we created Lawrence. To provide high-quality sushi at prices everyone can enjoy."
Chicagoans are lucky to be the beneficiaries of it all!