Burhops Seafood burst onto the Chicagoland scene in 1926 when Albert E. Burhop opened a wholesale seafood establishment at 545 N. State St. in downtown Chicago. Regarded as the premier wholesaler in the city for years, Burhops ensured that fresh fish was available to the general public by offering a retail fish shop on its premises. Alberts son, Vern Burhop, took over the business in the 1940s and continued to expand the wholesale business to include Chicago, Wisconsin and Indiana.Because of advancements in better refrigeration equipment during the 1970s, the business started to shift its focus from wholesale to retail. In 1973, the Burhop family opened its first off-premise retail store at the Plaza del Lago Shopping Center in No Mans Land, now 1515 Sheridan Road in Wilmette. Verns sons, Jim and Jeff Burhop, took over the store in the late 1970s. With the success of its retail business, Burhops opened other retail stores around the Chicagoland area.In 1991, new owners purchased the Plaza del Lago store, Wilmette, ( 847 ) 256-6400. They remodeled, updated and made many improvements to better enhance the retail operation. Three locations under two separate ownerships still provides top quality seafood that Burhops customers have come to expect. The other Burhops stores, located in Hinsdale and Glenview, are owned and operated by Jeff Burhop.Since its establishment, the praise and accolades for Burhops quality, freshness and service have never ceased. Both Chicago Magazine and NorthShore Magazine have traditionally ranked Burhops Seafood as the top place for fish in the Chicagoland area. Chicago Magazine, in its August 2000 issue, selected Burhops as the "Best in Chicago" for retail fish and seafood, and NorthShore Magazine, in its July, 2004 issue, selected Burhops as the "Best of the North Shore" for retail fish and seafood. Local television news programs often feature Burhops as the top choice for fresh fish in Chicago, and the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Pioneer Press regularly highlight Burhops weekly offerings.