So not political, but has anyone been to The Clambox in Ipswich?

[babylonsister]

We're going to visit the m-i-l this weekend, my DH is positively jonesing for fried clams, and he heard about this place. Any reviews out there? Thanks!

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=453

[MADem]

1. They've been there for seventy years.

I don't think they'd last a week in Ipswich if they weren't good.

Haven't been there ... that I can recall, anyway, but good fried clams are almost mandated in this area.



http://www.ipswichma.com/clambox/


They sure look good...generous portions, too!

WARNING--bring cash! They don't take credit cards.

Call ahead for hours
[phone]
Our hours vary and are subject to change
without notice, please call ahead of time.

We are Open

246 High St
Ipswich, MA 01938
[phone]

SORRY NO CREDIT CARDS ARE ACCEPTED

[TayTay]

2. My Mom likes Farnham's in Essex

Just a short ride away.

Another resource on food in the Boston area: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/308781

[babylonsister]

7. Thanks for the link, TayTay. It's en route to the DH for perusal. nt

[unhappycamper]

3. AAAARRRRGH!!!1!1

You're coming to MA this weekend and I'm in Georgia? :banghead:

[babylonsister]

5. Hi, uhc! I didn't know you were in GA. Yes, we'll be in

Lawrence, MA, for a few days to celebrate my m-i-l's birthday. Haven't seen her in a few years; it's time.

One of these days I'll get to meet you!

[MaineDem]

4. Travel & Leisure did a review last summer

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/clam-central-usa

On my visit to the Clam Box, ReaLemon or some other equally insipid citricacid product has replaced the real thing, and the clams themselves lack the liveliness, the pop, the addictive quality of the offerings at other local spots. However, I wouldn’t pass through the area without sampling Woodman’s chowder. The broth is thin and milky, but not at all wanting in richness, and dotted through with gently cooked clams and chunks of potato with just the right balance of firmness and fallingapartness.

And then there was this:

And if you do get a sidelong glance for not dropping your r’s, so what? It’s a pittance to pay for the pleasure of putting away a plate of Farnham’s clams—their gossamerthin cornflour coating crisped to the goldenest of browns, the briny clams firm but moist inside, tasting ineffably of the shallow waterway-slashed landscape just yards beyond the edge of your picnic table. With a bottle of whatever’s on offer from the Cape Ann Brewing Company providing hoppy relief from the wait in that line of sunstroked daytrippers and relaxed, withtheprogram natives, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

When to Go

Most clam shacks close in November and reopen in the spring. To beat the peakseason lines, order ahead and snag your fix from the takeout window.

Where to Eat

Clam Box of Ipswich 246 High St., Ipswich; 978/3569707; clams for two $38.

Essex Seafood 143R Eastern Ave., Essex; 978/7687233; clams for two $30.

J.T. Farnham’s 88 Eastern Ave., Essex; 978/7686643; clams for two $27.

Woodman’s of Essex 121 Main St.; 978/7682559; chowder for two $3.

[babylonsister]

6. Thank you! I think we may switch to Farnham's on yours and Tay's rec'ds. nt

[jmm]

8. I've been there, Their food is great.

The Clam Box in Ipswich (there's another one in Quincy that's great and isn't run by the same people) has good food but I stopped going when they served "freedom fries" and Farnham's is better.

[frickaline]

9. thx for the tip, I'll check it out

Its a bit of a haul for me since I live in Bolton but still, a craving is a craving...

[blinkingidiot]

10. If you're in Ipswich, go to Riverview for some pizza

Unparalleled.