Fish cafe, market expands to Lake Zurich
Patrick and Carol Hannagan, who have owned a wholesale fresh-fish business for a dozen years, are changing their business plan as the economy changes.
The couple has downsized their wholesale fish market in St. Charles to focus more on expanding and operating cafes and market combination stores in Lake Zurich and St. Charles. The business now focuses more on selling fish to the public, Patrick said.
The Hannagans most recently opened Diamond Fresh Seafood & Cafe at 583 N. Rand Road in Lake Zurich, about a half-mile north of Route 22. Before launching the cafe, the couple closed a small fish market they operated in Lake Barrington.
The Lake Zurich shop is similar to the cafe they run in St. Charles at 311 N. Second St. The cafes feature an array of fresh seafood, salmon burgers, homemade soups, crab cakes, smoked salmon, pasta entrees and sandwiches made to order. Fish tacos, $8.95, and grouper sandwich served with a side, $9.95, are favorites, Carol said. Shrimp quesadillas are another highlight. The Lake Zurich location serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The St. Charles eatery also is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.
Both locations feature a fish market offering a large selection of fresh wild-caught fish.
"Nothing is ever frozen," Carol said.
They sell a variety of fresh fish at various prices.
"Even in this economy, you can still eat fish while on a budget," Carol said.
The businesses carry farm-raised and wild salmon and tilapia, which is about $8.95 a pound. Yellow fin tuna sells for about $20 a pound and Chilean sea bass is about $20 to $25 a pound. The mussels are $5.50 a pound and large shell-on shrimp is $16 per pound.
The main difference in their shop is that the fish is never frozen, Carol said.
"Fresh fish should not smell," she added.
Because the Hannagans also run the wholesale business, there is no middleman.
"Our stuff comes directly from the shores," she added.
Patrick stresses his reputation for buying only high-quality fish and notes that's how the Hannagans developed the name for the business.
"Diamond is a word they used when they wanted the highest quality seafood," Carol said.
The shops also offer cooking classes as well as tips on how to prepare fish at home. A popular feature recently added is the "dinner in a bag" that includes everything the customer needs to prepare fish at home, including the fish and spices.
The couple offers summer grilling suggestions.
Before launching the business, Patrick worked as a food services director for Marriott. He was looking to cut down on his commute and took a local sales job in the fish industry. He felt he could do things better and launched his own business.
The couple is raising three boys in Tower Lakes.
Carol, who has always enjoyed cooking, says the business has been a perfect fit.
For more information, call (847) 438-4900 for the Lake Zurich shop and (630) 444-0168 for the St. Charles location.
• Kim Mikus covers small business and retail. She welcomes comments at kmikus@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-567.