Phantom Gourmet: Great 8 Fried Clams

Nothing says summertime in New England like a big box full of fried clams. Whether you like the crispy strips, or the flavor-packed bellies, you're going to love the 8 Greatest places to get them.

The Clam Box
Ipswich

Kicking off the Great 8 is the legendary Clam Box in Ipswich. Built in 1935, The Clam Box has been a beacon for lovers of fried bivalves for decades, beckoning anyone hungry for fried clams, lobster rolls, and homemade cole slaw. And there's no mistaking this eatery as you approach it in your car. It's shaped like an actual clam box.

Moxy
Portsmouth, NH

Moxy in Portsmouth is a fun and casual, two-story space sporting an open kitchen that creates some of the tastiest small plates in New England. There's slow-cooked Short Ribs served over grilled bread, and a pair of local grass fed burgers topped with lettuce, tomato, housemade barbecue sauce and shredded cheddar. But the unique fried clams are the dish to order. Served on a board, these crispy clams are skewered with fried pickled peppers and cocktail onions, alongside mustard aioli.

Red Bird
Waltham

Red Bird on Moody Street in Waltham has a little something for everyone, whether you want to keep it casual with a burger, or something more upscale. The Fried Clams here a done a little bit differently, because they exclusively serve clam strips. The puffy, crispy clams are first battered in a cornmeal coating, along with thinly sliced lemon peels for some extra pop. Fans of full belly fried clams should not be discouraged; give it a try.

Kelly's Roast Beef
Multiple Locations

With locations on Revere Beach, Saugus, Danvers, Medford and Natick, Kelly's Roast Beef is a local institution famous for inventing the roast beef sandwich. While the beef is tasty, the fried clams are fabulous, and best served fried until golden brown and loaded up on a plate with onion rings, fries and plenty of tartar sauce.

Woodman's of Essex
Essex

Woodman's of Essex actually claims to have invented the fried clam, so you know what they serve has got to be good. The puffy, crispy clams are battered and fried beautifully, in the same recipe that they started with over 100 years ago. One of the keys is they cook in lard.

Kool Kone
Wareham

Located on busy Route Six in Wareham, Kool Kone is a Cape Cod institution, serving 50 flavors of ice cream, awesome soft serve that's even better with a cherry dip, and refreshing slush that customers crave on a hot day. But before you dive into dessert, you've got to get an enormous Seafood Platter, loaded up with all your favorite fried seafood, including clams.

The Clam Box
Quincy

Located on Wollaston Beach, The Clam Box has been a summertime staple in Quincy for decades. This seaside mainstay fries up fresh seafood by the boat load, all served from a busy countertop where customers pick up their food and grab as much tartar sauce as they need before finding a table. There's plenty of outdoor seating, and an indoor dining room with floor to ceiling windows, so every spot has a great view of the beach.

Evelyn's Drive-In
Tiverton, RI

Rounding out the Great 8 is Evelyn's Drive-In in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Located on Nanaquaket Pond with beautiful sunset views, Evelyn's certainly serves fried clams, but they're really known for their Fried Clam Cakes that are made to order. The golden balls of clams and dough are kind of like a seafood donut, and have a big following in Little Rhody.

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