'The Best Snow Crab In Town': Fisherman's Island Opens In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — West Jefferson Street's amazing transformation this year continues as this marks the first week of business for the Fisherman's Island takeout restaurant. The seafood restaurant focuses on steamed and raw food, nothing is fried.

If Fisherman Island was smart, they might want to consider hiring customers Ken Dearing and his brother-in-law Ed Hucher to do their advertising for them.

The brothers are retired military veterans from the Army and Navy respectively and live in the St. Pat's Neighborhood. "This is great to have in Joliet," Hucher told Joliet Patch's editor. "I hope these guys do real good here."

Ken Dearing told Joliet Patch he was thrilled Joliet finally landed a high-quality seafood restaurant. He said they plan to patronize Fisherman's Island at least once a week.

As they prepared to place their takeout order, Ahmed Gahrib, who opened Joliet's new Fisherman Island, brought Dearing and Hucher samples of small shrimp.

"Very good," the brothers replied. "Loved it. Very good."

After paying for their order, Dearing and Hucher received a plastic bag with an aluminum foil tray inside, filled with a pound of small shrimp, plus Fisherman Island's house dressing.

"You won't find a better selection of seafood anywhere," Hucher told Patch.

As the men walked out of 1511 West Jefferson Street, Dearing exclaimed, "Oh, I'll be here once a week, yeah."

The food at Fisherman's Island is steamed or raw, none of the seafood is fried, the manager said.

The restaurant's lobby has shelves stocked with limited seasonings, sauces and fresh ingredients for customers to purchase.

Fisherman's Island opened last weekend and Sunday was the busiest day so far, according to Gahrib, the manager.

"It's been good, nice feedback. We had the same customer from Saturday come back on Sunday. Some of them say they like the different seasonings."

The Fisherman's Island takeout restaurant still has some job openings for cashiers and line cooks.

People interested in working here can walk inside for "hirings in person." Applicants should ask for one of the managers, Jim.

The Joliet area's first Fisherman's Island is now open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"People can order food ahead of time over the phone," Gahrib said.

Fisherman's Island has two phone numbers: 815-582-4876 and 815-582-4873.