A good clam should have a light coating, and fried in fresh oil or lard. So much so, one can barely detect what’s inside all that batter. My favorites have dwindled over the years (83), because someone decides whole belly clams needed a thick coating of flour, egg, milk, corn meal or what have you. So, I have eaten at many of the clam houses spoken of in the article. I made many visits over the years, and returned permanently to Hampton Beach for 11 years. I’m originally from Mass…born raised and educated thru high school. Replyīob’s in Kittery, ME are probably the best for anyone who lives in the area, or who is traveling up the east coast of New England to points North.

Hope you can find a way to get to Ipswich, MA to get your fill, one day. Many make chowders, or buy some good brands of clam or fish chowder online. We have thousands of seafood shops in New England, & all the grocery stores here sell raw & cooked seafoods. I live in MA & Legal Seafood is a big, good quality company which will ship lobsters, chowder, etc, but it’s a big expense. Ask them to either lightly steam them & toss with real butter – no fake hydrogenated corn oil heart attack goop they call Margarine, with some fresh lemon wedges, or ask them to fry them for you. Don’t you have any seafood shops, or grocery stores with seafood departments near you? It’s best when you can see the size of the shucked clams, & ask to smell them. You’d need to get them delivered right away too.

Most little clam shacks won’t have that capacity, of course, & waiting for them to be delivered would not give you the freshly fried, crunch you’d want, & shipping charges could be quite costly. You can look up the names online & go from there. You’re best off contacting the sellers directly.

Fried fish near me