Grab Some Hienies

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Henry "Hienie" McCarthy, born in 1905 in Chicago, grew up on the city's south side.

In 1947, Hienie borrowed $500 from his brother-in-law to open a fresh fish store at 726 State Street in Hammond, Indiana. Inspired by a customer's suggestion to fry the fish, Hienie added fryers and expanded the menu to include fried fish and shrimp, leading to the creation of Hienie’s Shrimp House. The business thrived, and Hienie's four sons soon joined him.

About a year later, the business relocated to 9134 Mackinaw in Chicago, near the bustling US Steel Mills. Hienie, with his sons Eddie and Bob, operated the store until the early hours of the morning. In 1965, they built a new location at 9101 Mackinaw. Facing challenges like demands for protection money, Bob expanded the business, opening a store at 8450 Commercial in Chicago and later, in 1983, another location at 10359 S Torrence.In 1978, Bob opened Hienie’s McCarthy’s in Orland Park for his children—Tami, Bob Jr., Denise, and Paul.

Despite the challenges of sibling collaboration, Bob Jr. launched a new store in Chicago Ridge in 1986 and another in Tinley Park a year later. With business thriving, the family ventured into franchising, selling locations in Calumet City, Whiting, Indiana, and Cicero, Illinois.

However, they quickly realized that franchising presented unique challenges compared to selling their beloved chicken, fish, and shrimp.Today, Hienie’s on Torrence and Hienie’s McCarthy’s in Orland Park continue to flourish, proudly remaining a family business for over 60 years and spanning four generations.