PPX plans to expand Legal Sea Foods to Chicago Riverwalk

Legal Sea Foods, the Boston-based seafood brand owned by PPX Hospitality Brands, plans to open its first brick-and-mortar Chicago restaurant this winter in a River North location next door to sister brand Smith & Wollensky, the company said Monday.

PPX said the opening follows the virtual kitchen expansion into Chicago of October 2021, which also included Columbus, Ohio. The virtual kitchen operated out of Smith & Wollensky.

PPX owns 25 Legal Sea Food locations and 10 Smith & Wollensky units internationally.

Legal Sea Foods is converting the Chicago location last occupied by Dick’s Last Resort in the Marina Towers at 315 N. Dearborn St.

"We are thrilled to bring Legal Sea Foods to Chicago," said Matt King, president and chief operating officer of Legal Sea Foods, in a statement.

"As part of the PPX Hospitality Brands family, this new location is a true testament to our company’s overall growth and commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences to cities across the country,” King said.  “Chicago’s vibrant dining scene and diverse palate presents a huge opportunity for us to showcase a uniquely ‘Legal’ seafood experience to Chicagoans.”

The two levels of indoor and outdoor dining will offer unobstructed river views, the company said.

Related:Smith & Wollensky parent group Danu Partners acquires Nick Varano’s Strega Group to form PPX Hospitality Brands

The Legal Sea Foods menu will feature clam chowder, baked haddock, a variety of fresh Oysters, shellfish, and other fin fish and Maine Lobster, including stuffed lobster tails, half pound Gulf of Maine lobster rolls, and lobster mac and cheese.

The restaurant will also feature its new “Sushi & Sake” experience, which includes a selection of sake and a variety of hand-rolled sushi, nigiri and sashimi, as well as two bars.

PPX Hospitality Brands in December 2020 announced the acquisition of Legal Sea Foods, a Boston institution founded by the Berkowitz family in 1968. Legal Sea Foods has units in five states, including Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

PPX was launched in January of 2020 as the parent company of steakhouse chain Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and The Strega Group, which operates Italian chophouses in the Boston area under the Strega Italiano brand.

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