For fresh fish and seafood, try the Big Fish Grille
‘Tis the season for meat-free Fridays. If you would like to try someplace new, and you don’t mind a drive, try Big Fish Grille in Wilmington.
Located at Harborside Marina, the restaurant is about 15 minutes northwest of downtown Wilmington. Their specialty is seafood, including fresh shucked oysters. Fresh fish is flown in weekly, so the offerings change depending on what’s available.
Standards on the seafood menu include English Style Fish and Chips, Shrimp Po’ Boy, Jambalaya Pasta, Thai Curry Shrimp and Twin Main Lobster Tails. In the “things that don’t swim” category was Louisiana Mac & Cheese (with chicken, andouille sausage and rigatoni in a four-cheese sauce), steaks and sandwiches, among other offerings.
From the lunch menu, I can recommend the New Orleans Seafood-Chicken Gumbo and the Dewey Beach Fish Tacos, which were made with grilled cod and topped with napa slaw, cilantro, pickled onions and a lime wedge. The grilled fish and fresh toppings made for a delicious and healthy meal.
The decor at Big Fish is upscale but relaxed, with white tablecloths, tile flooring and an elegant bar. Wine is available by the bottle or glass. During warm weather, seating is available on the patio, which offers a view of the river.
Big Fish Grille is at 27425 S. Will Road. To get there from Bourbonnais, I took the scenic route through Wilmington and the Des Plaines Dolomite Prairies Land And Water Reserve. An easier route would be to take Interstate 55 north to Lorenzo Road. Go west 3 miles to Will Road, which is nicknamed Covered Bridge Road and also referred to as County Line Road because it divides Will and Grundy counties. Then go north on Will Road until it dead-ends at the marina.
You can also get to the restaurant by boat. Docks are available at the marina for parking while you eat.
Big Fish opened Dec. 31, 2008. Since then the owners have opened a second location at 1602 Commons Drive in Geneva.
Currently, hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily except Monday, when they’re closed. They offer expanded hours during the summer. For the most current information, go online to BigFishGrille.net or call (815) 476-9331.
