"Legends of the East"
There are a few things that can fire up a passionate debate like sports, politics and agreeing on where the best seafood shacks in New England are.
In The Northeast, we are known as the summer destination for those looking to enjoy some of the best fine dining seafood restaurants, and classic seafood shacks in the world.
Today, with the second posting of "Legends of the East" I will go back to some of my favorite road food seafood shacks that I have been fortunate enough to enjoy a bite to eat during my traveling days working as the box truck, delivery driver.
So, like I had previously done on "Legends of the East" hot dog joints, this is not a “Best of Readers Poll”, and not a review of any sit-down dining restaurants, just some of my favorite's roadside seafood shacks that I was able to enjoy a quick bite to eat.
Lobster rolls get a lot of the attention because they can be enjoyed everywhere, some of the seafood shacks listed here serve legendary lobster rolls, overflowing with chunky knuckle meat. Others specialize in fried clams that are sweet, tender and just busting with flavor. The clam shacks are found exclusively in the NE region because clams don't have as long of a shelf life and can't be shipped long distances like a lobster. But they are every bit as big of a star for their signature taste. Accompanied with a classic side of fried onion rings, it's those legendary places that you never forget.
Hopefully this summer we are going to try a few more of the many classic seafood shacks that are located all over the New England landscape that I have not yet been fortunate enough to visit. This summer, I will no longer be driving the box truck and worrying about parking, which for many years has put me at a huge disadvantage. So here we go with some of the legends.
Reds Eats in Wiscasset Me. This is the most famous, most iconic, and quite possibly the best lobster roll on Earth. The line is long, and the wait begins in your car on the one-lane lead-up to Red’s and the bridge. The lobster roll itself is ridiculously generous heaping with fresh, wet lobster — so much it falls all over. It tastes just-cooked and -picked. Get butter (warmed in a kettle on the stove) and mayo on the side. Put simply, it’s lobster roll perfection.
Founded in 1968 right on the Kennebunk River, The Clam Shack is now world-famous. People line up for hours just to get a taste of their phenomenal lobster roll, which includes meat from a freshly cracked one-pound lobster zipped into a delicious, locally baked bun. Add to that its quaint waterfront views, and you've got everything you need in a Maine lobster roll experience. They only negative take-away, is there are not a lot of benches or picnic tables available to grab a seat and chow down.
Pool Lobster at Goldthwaite's. Located in Biddiford is an idyllic spot offering beautiful coastal views. The Lobster shack/Restaurant is attached to a general store, and it attracts both locals and tourists alike. The lobster roll is a classic, with a buttered and toasted bun and no more than a touch of mayonnaise. The meat—claw, knuckle, and tail—is freshly picked each morning. If you love onion rings, do not miss these: double dipped in buttermilk, hand breaded, and seasoned with “a closely guarded secret spice mix.” The thick rings belong alongside any sandwich, or a bowl of their award-winning clam chowder
Sitting atop the shores of Cape Elizabeth, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights is a Maine staple. It features an unassuming, outdoor dining area right on the rocky coast, with some of the best views of the ocean in the state. Come for the lobster dinner, or lobster rolls: the former are ample, with a liberal amount of meat and a dollop of mayo, the latter garnished with the signature pickle chip. Lobster rolls notwithstanding, it's impossible to be disappointed by the views.
Bob’s Clam Hut, Kittery, Maine, is well known for their clam chowder, lobster stew, traditional Bob’s fried clams, and Lilian fried clams — as well as their famous tartar sauce. Bob’s is usually crowded, but it's well worth the wait. The seafood is fresh, and the whole belly clams are lightly breaded and fried to perfection.
One of many seafood shacks along Massachusetts Route 133 (known as the “Clam Highway”), is the counter-serve Clam box of Ipswich, it was constructed in 1938 to look like a clam box. Best known for its perfectly fried, sweet whole-belly Ipswich clams. They also serve equally good fried oysters, fresh haddock and clam chowder.
Woodmans in Essex, introduced the world to the first fried whole-belly clams back in 1916, It is the only sit-down restaurant that does not have an outdoor seating area, but is still a must visit. The only thing I could add is that we have driven over 2 and a half hours one way on a day trip just to enjoy their food.
J.T. Farnhams. This shack also is an award-winning seafood stop in the heart of clam country. They are known for their exceptional seafood chowder, famous sweet fried clams and everything else on their renowned coastal seafood menu.
For the uninformed, as we continue traveling south, we now get into CT where you will be surprised to learn that there is another type of lobster rolls served in New England. The Connecticut-style lobster roll is served warm and dripping with butter.
The Lobster Landing in Clinton, Connecticut is more than a hundred years old and has retained its small-town, old-school charm. It's hard to be unsatisfied when you visit this hidden gem that offers a good size hot, super buttery lobster roll with a nice view of the harbor. Get a cup of New England clam chowder to go with your roll, and you'll be blissfully remembering the experience the rest of the day.
You'll find more buttery lobster bliss at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough, a seafood shack located on the Mystic River in Noank, Connecticut. Their hot lobster roll comes in not one, not two but three portion sizes, including the "famous" (1/4 lb) the "OMG" (1/2 lb) and the "LOL" (1 full lb). Regardless which one you order, come hungry! Also, be aware that the original "famous hot lobster roll" size comes served on a toasted hamburger bun, while the others are served on the traditional toasted rolls.
If you missed the first segment of "Legends of the East" The Best Hot Dogs in New England posted on May 26th, you can find it here.Legends of the East ( I )
RSS Feed