Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos are crispy, golden shrimp nestled in soft tortillas, topped with tangy slaw and a drizzle of spicy aioli, delivering a burst of flavor that transports you straight to the heart of Chicago’s seafood scene.
Da Lobsta, a beloved seafood spot in Chicago, has closed its doors. However, this recipe brings the flavors of their popular fried shrimp tacos to your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy a taste of their legacy at home. Make our Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos Recipe at home. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Fried Shrimp Tacos will taste just like Da Lobster.
Photo by Kurman Communications LLC
Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos
A Local & Regional Favorite Shrimp Taco Copycat Recipe
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Da Lobsta
Da Lobsta was a beloved Chicago seafood spot that brought the flavors of New England to the Windy City. Founded by J. Wolf in 2012, it began as a fast-casual eatery in the Gold Coast neighborhood, transforming a former kosher deli into a lobster haven . The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its $12 lobster rolls, which featured fresh lobster meat dressed in tarragon mayo and served in a buttered New England-style bun.
Expanding its reach, Da Lobsta introduced a food truck and additional brick-and-mortar locations, including spots in River North and the Chicago French Market . The menu offered a variety of lobster-centric dishes, such as lobster mac and cheese, lobster bisque, and creative lobster roll variations like the Asian and Surf & Turf styles.
Despite its initial success, Da Lobsta faced financial challenges. In 2015, the Gold Coast location closed due to building demolition plans . The business later appeared on CNBC’s The Profit, where Marcus Lemonis declined to invest, citing concerns over management and finances .
Ultimately, Da Lobsta closed all its locations and ceased operations, leaving behind fond memories of its lobster rolls and a brief but impactful presence in Chicago’s culinary scene.
The Evolution of Shrimp Tacos: From Coastal Delights to Global Phenomenon
Shrimp Tacos are a vibrant and flavorful dish that showcases shrimp as the star, wrapped in soft tortillas and complemented by various toppings and sauces. While the exact origin of shrimp tacos is debated, they are believed to have roots in coastal Mexico, where seafood is central to local cuisine. The dish has evolved over time, with different cooking methods like fried, sautéed, and Cajun-spiced shrimp adding depth and variety.
Fried shrimp tacos are the most popular variation, where shrimp are battered and deep-fried to golden perfection, offering a crispy texture that contrasts nicely with soft tortillas. Sautéed shrimp, on the other hand, is a lighter version, where shrimp are pan-cooked with seasonings, creating a tender and juicy filling. Cajun shrimp tacos have gained widespread popularity, often seasoned with smoky spices and paired with a zesty slaw or creamy sauce, bringing bold flavors to the taco.
Shrimp tacos first became widely known along the Pacific coast, particularly in Baja California, where seafood tacos have long been a staple of street food culture. The dish soon spread across the United States and beyond, evolving in regional styles with different marinades, toppings, and sides. Today, shrimp tacos are a beloved dish in coastal cities worldwide, served in food trucks, seafood restaurants, and casual eateries. Whether fried, sautéed, or seasoned with bold spices, shrimp tacos remain a popular choice for seafood lovers.
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Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos Recipe
Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos are crispy, golden shrimp nestled in soft tortillas, topped with tangy slaw and a drizzle of spicy aioli, delivering a burst of flavor that transports you straight to the heart of Chicago's seafood scene. Da Lobsta, a beloved seafood spot in Chicago, has closed its doors. However, this recipe brings the flavors of their popular fried shrimp tacos to your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy a taste of their legacy at home. Make our Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos Recipe at home. With our Secret Restaurant Recipe your Fried Shrimp Tacos will taste just like Da Lobster.
Yield: 8 Street Tacos
Ingredients
Shrimp
- 1 pound large Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup All-purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
- Vegetable Oil for frying
Slaw
- 2 cups Shredded Cabbage mix of red and green
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Cilantro
- Freshly squeezed Juice of 1 Lime
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
Spicy Aioli
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha Sauce
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Salt to taste
For Assembly
- 8 small Flour Tortillas warmed
- Lime Wedges for serving
- Fresh Cilantro Leaves for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Slaw
- Combine shredded cabbage and chopped cilantro in a medium bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk together lime juice, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over cabbage mixture.
- Toss to combine. Set aside.
Make the Spicy Aioli
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, lemon juice, garlic powder and salt in a small bowl.
- Taste. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
Prepare the Shrimp
- Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl.
- Combine flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in another shallow bowl.
- Dip each shrimp into buttermilk, then dredge in seasoned flour, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry shrimp in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 - 3 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel-covered plate to drain.
Assemble the Tacos
- Place fried shrimp in the center of each warm tortilla.
- Top with slaw.
- Drizzle with spicy aioli.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Tip - For extra kick, add a few slices of jalapeño to the tacos before serving.
Da Lobster Fried Shrimp Tacos
A Local & Regional Favorite Shrimp Taco Copycat Recipe
To See ALL of Our Local & Regional Favorite Copycat Recipes - Click HERE To See ALL of Our Shrimp Copycat Recipes - Click HERE To See ALL of Our Taco Copycat Recipes - Click HERE To See ALL of Our Lost Favorites Copycat Recipes - Click HERESPOTLIGHT RECIPES
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Photo of “Shrimp Taco DSC02982” is by Kurman Communications LLC and is used by permission under the Attribution 2.0 Generic Creative Commons License. Read the Full License Here – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.enlegalcode.en. Thank you, Kurman Communications LLC. Great Pictures. Photos may be “representative” of the recipe and not the actual finished dish. All photo licenses listed were correct at the time of the posting of the page. Recipe is original to Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes. Recipe created by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes based on information from the restaurant and other sources on the internet – many courtesy of the Wayback Machine. Additional Information is from original research done by Secret Copycat Restaurant Recipes and/or courtesy of Wikipedia and is used by permission.
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