246 High St. (Mitchell Rd.) Map · Ipswich, MA 01938. 978-356-9707
I read alot about THE CLAMBOX and since I adore fried clams, I had to check this place out after going to Kelly's and Woodmans (they say they invented the Fried Clams). But in Ispwich and Essex, that area is laden with many clams that it is the place to be for fresh and delicious clams!
The building is in a kitschy shape of a Clambox and the lines are long (we waited for about 40 minutes but I heard even on off season the wait can be just an hour!!!). But it was well worth the wait! I went there over the weekend with my buddy MKP (who also went to Woodman's with me the prior weekend). I was afraid he would not want another weekend of Fried Clams, I was wrong! (Thank goodness he was open to eating with me!)
The Clambox is amazing and a great destination for fried clams!!! I know I went to Woodman's invented the fried clams, but the Clambox is WORTH the pilgrimage to have their great "big bellied" fried clams (upon request). We got there at 12 (opened at 11am) and already a good half hour wait. There was a sheet of paper by the entrance to look at to figure out what you want to order.
MPK and I decided to share and go the Fisherman's Platter ($21.95) with clams, haddock, scallop and Maine Shrimp with a choice of two sides from your choices of fried onion rings, french fries and cole slaw. Then got a cup of clam chowder $4.95 and one clam cake $1 with two small lemonades at $1 a piece. We could not leave without a lobster roll for $14.95. We also had to wait another15 minutes but it was WORTH the wait. I was busy reading the great articles and awards hung around the ordering area. Be warned, CASH only is accepted but they conveniently have an ATM machine. So the Clambox has been serving for fried clams and only believe in fresh food. Per the articles, I gathered that the owner dips the clams in evaporated milk then twice in corn and once in flour before frying them in lard (lard is changed daily in the afternoon). The big bellied clams were delicious! Finally to have big bellies (no extra charge too!) were delicious and I like the taste of the sea when you bite into it. The crunch and taste was fabulous on the generously piled on plate. (For those with smaller stomachs, there are mini meal options available). We opted for the sides to be fried onion rings --golden and crispy but the inside was sweet and delicious--and cole slaw ---not dry, great mix of carrot and cabbage and the dressing was just right. The fried clam cake was great and much better than the clam fritters we had at Woodman's the prior weekend. The crispy crunch exterior was yummy and the tartar sauce was great acccent. The juicy scallops and medium sized but thoroughly deveined Maine Shrimp were a treat. The best clam chowder out of Kelly's, Woodmans and the Clam Box was the latter. Their clam chowder had the right amount of thickness, potatoes, and clams which were delightful and flavorful--both MPK and I were sighing in sheer delight. The lobster roll was good but a bit too much of may for my taste but the lobster tail and claw meat was plentiful.
The decorations were more kitschy at the Clambox, the exterior is shaped as a Clambox with a side section to eat inside. The lines are worth the wait for this delicious taste of Essex clams (YUMMY) I can now understand why many make the pilgrimage to have these fried clams. Unfortunately you need car to get to this place, but it is well worth the wait!
A 9 forks out of 10 forks!
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