The seafood processing industry in Illinois offers a dynamic and vast selection of services by various companies. These organizations range from distributors of gourmet seafood to online companies offering door-to-door fresh fish delivery. Notably, these companies have a key focus on quality, often sourcing their products from trusted, sustainable sources. As consumer demand for quality and convenience increases, these companies have harnessed innovative strategies, such as online delivery and a wide variety of product cuts and preparations. The future looks promising, with many companies continually evolving to cater to changing consumer needs and preferences.


Top 20 seafood processing companies in Illinois

1. Fortune Fish & Gourmet

  • Website: fortunefishco.net
  • Headquarters: Bensenville, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 2001
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Latest funding type: Acquired
  • LinkedIn

Fortune Fish & Gourmet is the leading seafood and specialty foods distributor in the Midwest, dedicated to providing the finest fresh fish, seafood, and gourmet specialty products with a focus on quality and customer service.


2. Lobster Gram

LobsterGram is an online seafood company that offers a wide variety of fresh lobster and seafood products. They source their seafood from trusted fishermen and deliver it straight to customers' doorsteps, ensuring freshness and quality.


3. Schafer Fisheries

SchaferFish is a family-owned and operated fisheries company that specializes in manufacturing and selling a wide range of fish products. With over 65 years of experience, we offer fresh and frozen fish caught from clean rivers and lakes. Our FDA, Halal, and Kosher certified fishery delivers products throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Customers can choose from a variety of cuts and preparations, including fillets, steak cuts, minced, and more.


4. Gregor Jonsson Inc.

  • Website: jonsson.com
  • Headquarters: Lake Forest, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1955
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Jonsson is a company specializing in shrimp peeling since 1955. They offer compact and full-size peelers that automate the peeling process, resulting in better-looking, uniformly peeled shrimp. Their machines adjust to each shrimp individually, peeling and deveining them in the selected style. Jonsson systems can handle various sizes and types of shrimp, providing higher yield and quality. With their innovative technology, Jonsson provides efficient and cost-effective solutions for shrimp processing.


5. Hofseth North America | Wixter Seafood

Hofseth North America specializes in custom processing and packaging options for seafood products. They offer high-quality biomarine ingredients for human consumption and pharmaceuticals, derived from fish off-cuts. With a focus on sustainability and adhering to international standards, they aim to preserve the quality of their products while helping wild salmon populations rebound.


6. Supreme Lobster and Seafood Company

Supreme Lobster is a premium fish and seafood distributor known nationwide for its strict quality standards and a wide variety of the freshest, most premium products. Their customers rely on them for superior customer service, excellent value, and the best quality fresh and frozen seafood daily.


7. Howe Corporation

  • Website: howecorp.com
  • Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1912
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn

Howe Corporation is a leading manufacturer of Rapid Freeze flake ice machines and refrigeration equipment. With over 110 years of experience, they offer superior cooling solutions across the supply chain. Their innovative design and heavy-duty parts result in low maintenance costs compared to competitors. Howe's flake ice is easy to work with and preserves products more efficiently. They serve various industries and provide energy-efficient options. Contact Howe for custom solutions and exceptional customer support.


8. Moesle Meat Distribution Co.

Moesle Meat Distribution Co. is a Chicago-based wholesale meat supplier and processor. They offer same day delivery and market insights to help customers navigate supply and demand. Moesle Meat Distribution Co. has buyers and sales team dedicated to getting their customers what they need, when they need it.


9. Sorce Freshwater Co

Sorce Freshwater is a company that provides healthy and sustainably sourced fish products while also restoring freshwater ecology across the United States.


10. Best Food Services

Best Food Services is a company that offers a wide range of food products including soybean oil, shortening, fruit oils, spices, sauces, dim sum, seafood, and poultry. They provide high-quality products for vendors and customers in both English and Chinese languages.


11. Vandalay Brands

Back in 2006 the restaurants that would define Vandalay Brands were merely a twinkle in the eye of its founding members. Still, even in the early days, when the effervescent thought of a fish fry at The Dock at Montrose Beach was bandied about, the original ingredients of authenticity, fun environments, and original menus fostered the growth of our restaurant group. Over 15 years later, and an additional eight restaurants added to our roster, these hallmark characteristics remain at the core in every restaurant under the Vandalay umbrella. Grass-fed beef, Amish chicken, and organic ingredients are used at each of our restaurant locations. Live music, beach games, and an opportunity for a variety of events creates an enjoyable and exciting ambiance. Our Vandalay restaurants remain true to its original intention of becoming and remaining your local, neighborhood place to enjoy fresh foods, fun atmosphere, and great drinks with your friends and family.


12. The Boil Cajun Seafood

The Boil Cajun Seafood is a company that operates in the Restaurants industry. It employs 11-20 people and has $1M-$5M of revenue. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.


13. Cheese &a; Crackers

  • Website: crackerscheese.com
  • Headquarters: Champaign, Illinois, United States
  • Headcount: 1-10

Cheese & Crackers is an essential service (grocery) as defined by the State of Illinois executive order to Shelter-in-Place. We are fully stocked with wine, cheese, meats, fish, chocolate and more. No need to hoard - we a deep and broad supply chain and anticipate no significant problems in getting product over the next few weeks.


14. Kingfish Seafood

Kingfish Seafood is a fresh seafood restaurant in Chicago that serves daily caught seafood with a focus on quality and flavor. They offer on-site dining as well as catering services for events and parties.


15. Eastern Seafood Specialty

Eastern Seafood Specialty is a leading premium seafood distributor in the Chicago area providing top quality octopus, squid, fish, and shellfish to restaurants, wholesalers and retail stores. American culture is based on the diverse mix of traditions and backgrounds that are present here. As a result of such a blend, there have been many ethnic foods gaining popularity. One such type of popular food is Japanese and the number of Japanese restaurants is increasing. We, Ocean Providence, are suppliers to these Japanese restaurants. Ocean Providence is a seafood wholesale distributor. We import high quality fish, as well as generic goods such as farmed fish and frozen products, directly from Japan. In addition, we purchase high quality products like blue fin tuna from the Mediterranean. We currently have six branches in the United States, and would like to continue expanding with your help.


16. CenSea

  • Website: censea.com
  • Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois, United States
  • Founded: 1960
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • LinkedIn

Censea is a family-owned seafood company that has been in operation for 60 years. They are one of the largest importers of frozen seafood in the United States and market a variety of quality seafood items from almost 25 countries. Their diverse customer base includes restaurant chains, foodservice distributors, retailers, and wholesalers.


17. GT Fish & Oyster

GT Fish & Oyster is a modern seafood eatery and drinkery located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. With a blend of refined and rustic flavors, Chef Giuseppe Tentori aims to redefine the American seafood restaurant. The restaurant offers a daily selection of fresh oysters, delightful small plates inspired by coastal cuisine, and a holistic dining experience where food and drink are combined seamlessly.


18. Stone Eagle Tavern

Stone Eagle Tavern is a restaurant located in Rockford, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. They offer a diverse menu featuring salads, prime steaks, seafood, rotisserie dishes, pastas, desserts, wood-fired pizzas, and burgers and sandwiches. The restaurant is known for its homemade bread and desserts.


19. Beach House I Inc.

Decatur Beach House is a restaurant that offers high quality food and cocktails, featuring fresh seafood, steak, sandwiches, salads and more.


20. Beelow's Steakhouse

Beelow's is a high-end steakhouse located in Lake Zurich, Illinois. It offers an exceptional dining experience with amazing service, strong drinks, and superb food. The restaurant sources locally raised cows owned by the Beelow's family. It provides a wide range of menu options including starters, burgers, salads, serious steaks, fresh fish & seafood, and specialty entrees. Beelow's is perfect for special occasions, date nights, and family outings.


Want to find more seafood processing companies?


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