This Chicago Tavern Is Quietly Famous For Its Fish And Chips
Tucked into Chicago’s Lakeview, Duke Of Perth turns a simple craving into a destination. It is the kind of place you hear about quietly, mentioned in passing by locals who lean in just a bit when they talk about the fish and chips.
But word travels fast when batter shatters just right and flaky fillets steam at first bite.
Step inside and you will find a cozy Scottish spirit, neighborhood warmth, and a menu that understands comfort without fuss or flash.
If you are hungry for crisp edges, friendly service, and value that feels honest, this is the sort of tavern that gently asks you to slow down, grab a pint, and stay awhile.
Location That Feels Like A Neighborhood Secret
You will find Duke Of Perth at 2827 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, an easy walk from the lively Lakeview corridors. The tavern sits amid boutiques and everyday conveniences, so grabbing a table before or after errands feels effortless.
Street parking is metered, and rideshares drop off right at the curb, keeping arrival low stress.
Step through the door and the bustle softens, replaced by a gentle hum of conversation that never overwhelms. It is the best kind of neighborhood setting, where people nod in idle recognition even if you have not met.
That familiar rhythm makes it simple to relax, order, and settle into the evening’s pace.
The location also pairs well with pre-show plans at The Vic for those who don’t mind a longer walk, or with a relaxed stroll through Lakeview side streets.
Come Tuesday through Thursday, doors open in the late afternoon, while weekends begin earlier at noon.
Whether you plan a quick bite or a lingering meal, the address grounds the experience with convenience and charm.
A History Carried Into A Bigger Room
Duke Of Perth is a longtime Lakeview fixture, now well established in its current Broadway location, maintaining its familiar character while offering a comfortable amount of space. Regulars celebrate the room because it preserves the charm and keeps the experience easygoing.
What you feel is continuity, not reinvention, a steady hand guiding a neighborhood favorite forward.
Ownership details are not all publicly documented, so the story here is best told through lived-in details. There are framed nods to Scotland, posters that look happily settled, and a lived texture that suggests decades of hospitality.
That quiet continuity reassures newcomers who want to feel instant belonging without pretense.
Servers talk about the move with pride, and that warmth passes table to table. The menu reads like the same playbook locals loved, only now it unfolds in a room that breathes.
You still get the standards, the comfort, and the welcome, just with wider aisles and easier conversations.
Decor That Invites Lingering
The room glows warm with wood, low lighting, and tartan hints that lean Scottish without turning kitschy. Booths and two tops break up the space into friendly clusters, so conversations feel private even when the room is lively.
A soundtrack hums at the right volume, keeping energy up while letting your table lead.
Details matter here: crisp menus, tidy tables, and servers who seem to appear when needed. The décor is not trying to prove something, it is trying to help you relax.
In a city that loves a big concept, Duke Of Perth prefers comfort you can feel in your shoulders.
On good-weather days, the patio adds a sunny option for people watching on Broadway. Inside, framed prints, subtle plaid, and lived-in wood make brisk evenings feel downright homey.
It is the kind of room that turns quick snacks into meals and first visits into regular habits.
Menu Built On British Comfort
The menu leans into British comfort with clarity and pride. Expect fish and chips with proper peas, shepherd’s pie crowned in mash, and bangers and mash with silky gravy.
Burgers round things out with heft, plus seasonal touches and the occasional special that nods to tradition.
Every plate reads familiar but benefits from careful execution. Fries arrive hot and crisp, and portions are generous without theatrical excess.
Prices land in the honest $$ range, offering fair value for fresh-cooked pub fare that never feels phoned in.
Guests often call out fried leeks for their crunchy novelty, along with a hearty burger stacked with playful toppings. The result is a lineup that suits weeknight cravings and weekend plans equally well.
It is food you can count on, plated with just enough flourish to feel special but never fussy.
The Fish And Chips That Made The Name
This is the plate everyone talks about, and the praise tracks from first crunch to last crumb. Fillets arrive plump and flaky under a shatter-crisp batter that stays light instead of greasy.
The fries are equally serious, hot enough to fog your glasses and sturdy enough for dipping.
Portions satisfy without flattening your evening, and the sweet green peas are a thoughtful, bright counterpoint. A squeeze of lemon wakes everything up, while the seasoning leans balanced instead of overwhelming.
The magic is restraint and timing, batter that behaves and fish that steams at the break.
On designated weekly special days, the all-you-can-eat offering turns this classic into a mini holiday for fans. Pace yourself, enjoy the heat, and ask for a fresh plate when ready.
You will understand why locals use words like best and favorite with casual certainty.
Signature Comforts Beyond The Fryer
Shepherd’s pie shows up rich and satisfying, with savory meat tucked beneath creamy potato and a gentle crust. It is classic comfort, plated cleanly and portioned for a real meal.
Bangers and mash lean hearty, with sausages that snap and gravy that pools just right.
There is fun, too. Fried leeks heap into a shareable mountain of crunch, an unexpected star that tastes like onion rings’ elegant cousin.
Burgers run generous, including a house favorite layered with onion rings, tomato, lettuce, and blue cheese for a punchy bite.
None of it feels showy. These are straightforward plates, executed with care and a sense of proportion.
If fish is the headline, these dishes are the depth that keeps repeat visits engaging and your table happily debating what to order next.
Service That Reads The Room
Attentiveness comes naturally here. Staff move with easy confidence, checking in without hovering and noticing when you need a refill or a fresh plate.
There is humor at the table, names remembered on return visits, and clear pride in the menu.
Questions about portions, ingredients, or timing get straightforward answers that help you order well. If you are new, they will guide you toward the favorites without hard selling.
Special requests are handled with care, and pacing adjusts gracefully whether you are lingering or in a pre-show hurry.
That balance sets the tone for a stress-free meal. You focus on conversation while plates arrive hot and orderly, which is all most of us want.
By the time the check lands, the interaction feels like hospitality rather than transaction.
Atmosphere That Feels Like A Pause Button
The room carries a calm, settled energy that makes weeknights feel restorative and weekends feel celebratory. Music plays just loud enough to soften edges while voices thread comfortably above it.
Lighting flatters both plates and faces, which makes staying for another round of conversation tempting.
Tables turn without rush, and staff keep the flow easy. On warm days, the patio offers umbrella shade and classic Lakeview sidewalk theater.
Inside, the arrangement of booths and tables encourages small gatherings and dates as easily as solo comfort meals.
This is the rare spot where you can tune out the day. Come in hungry, leave steadied, and bring a friend who will appreciate the ritual of hot fries and crisp batter.
It is an atmosphere built for returning, and the regulars prove it.
Honest Prices And Real Value
Value is where Duke Of Perth quietly excels. Prices sit in the mid range and feel justified by portion size, consistency, and the pleasant setting.
The famed fish and chips deliver a lot of satisfaction for the dollars, especially on the special all-you-can-eat days.
Nothing about the experience feels cut rate or padded. You get friendly service, a seat that is comfortable for an unrushed meal, and food that arrives hot.
That blend of reliability and fairness turns casual visits into habit, because you know what to expect.
Pair that with the location’s convenience and you have an easy weeknight solution or a weekend anchor. It is not about bargain hunting, it is about walking out feeling you spent wisely.
That is often the best compliment a neighborhood restaurant can earn.
When To Go And What To Know
The posted hours generally follow this rhythm: closed Monday, opening in the late afternoon Tuesday through Thursday, earlier starts on Friday, and noon openings on Saturday and Sunday, with late-night service most weekends.
If timing matters, aim early on weekends or call ahead for peak evenings. The phone number is +1 773-477-1741, and the website provides menus and updates.
First timers should know the fish and chips shine brightest freshly served, so eat while it is hot. The patio is popular in good weather, and indoor seating remains comfortable even when bustling.
Street parking works with a little patience, or let a rideshare streamline the night.
Bring an appetite, save room for a second plate on the special nights, and enjoy the steady rhythm of service. The address is 2827 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657, easy to map and easier to love.
You will leave with a new go-to for comforting, well-executed fare.