Lincoln Park seafood shop owner grills free samples for regulars

Dirk Fucik operates a seafood shop at 2070 N. Clybourn Ave. in Lincoln Park where he offers free grilled samples to customers every Saturday.

Fucik opened the business in 2003 after running a previous seafood establishment called Burhops. He has worked in the seafood trade for more than 50 years. The shop sits inside a strip mall on the north side of Chicago.

The tradition of sampling began roughly 20 years ago when Fucik set up a Big Green Egg grill in the parking lot. He cooked fish over charcoal and served portions on paper boats to passersby. The samples included hunks of grilled salmon and vegetables. This setup attracted local residents who stopped to eat and talk.

Regulars at the shop include longtime visitors who started coming to the free samples as recent college graduates. Many of these individuals now purchase prepared items such as tequila-chili grilled shrimp and seafood bisques. Some customers also buy salmon bellies to cook at home. Fucik has hosted cooking classes at the shop after business hours for interested patrons.

Fucik estimates that he grills hundreds of dollars worth of product each week for these free samples. He describes the effort as a way to build relationships with the neighborhood. The samples have converted casual visitors into loyal customers who frequent the shop for both food and conversation.

The shop continues to operate on its regular schedule. Fucik remains at the grill on Saturday afternoons, preparing seafood for the community. The store serves as a gathering place for locals who value the routine of visiting the location and interacting with the owner.