Quite possibly the best lobster roll I've ever had. My sister and I tried them both ways they're served here (mayo on one, butter on the other) on the brioche roll and couldn't decide which one we liked better!! Onion rings and fried clams were also delicious. Plus the location is adorable, nice little picnic tables with umbrellas overlooking the water on one side and a park with an old school arcade on the other. The staff was so friendly (which isn't the norm around here, IME). I'll be headed back here from Boston just as soon as the weather is nice again, and definitely will be taking out of town guests with me to show them what a "real" New England lobster roll should taste like! read more

What I really like is how years ago, this was the men's bathroom. Now, its a place that serves food.

Simple Lobster roll with butter on brioche bun....perfection. Nice park setting outside. Staff extremely friendly and efficient!

I love the clam shack!!! I always look forward to ordering seafood from here when I come down to the willows! The food is always fresh when it comes out. The staff are always friendly when I order food. read more

Great fresh fried clams! Visited in August and had some great fried clams in a beautiful park at sunset. The batter could be a little lighter in my view but still very good - service was outstanding and friendly. Some yelpers have complained about the cost and it can get a little pricey -when we go back (and we look forward to it) we'll order the fried clams to share then see how hungry we are for anything more. read more

The young ones running the show tonight were the most pleasant and helpful people. And the food was delicious. You have to try the haddock bites and they make their own onion rings. The lobster roll is ONLY lobster.. No filter.. No Mayo.. Wonderful. You aren't taking a chance here. read more

Love it here. Every time I go down the willows this is the place I go. The food is to die for. I always order the Haddock Bits and fries but the clam strips and calamari are amazing as well. The staff are wonderful and the people at the register always get my order right. Would recommend this place to anyone. Not to mention the view from this place is perfect for those artsy sunset pictures and the kids and you will love the outdoor seating! read more

Was just at the Clam Shack and was totally disappointed. Sat at picnic table and water view was nice but that was it! Had a lobster roll for the first time and it was not impressive . More bun than lobster. Also had the steamer clams. Have never had steamers with long black tails! Asked the staff if you were supposed to eat these and two staff said they have never eaten here and had to ask the manager! The man next in line told me to take off the long black skins! Again,,, have had tons of steamer clams but never with long black tails. Would not recommend this place! read more

Well, it is shack with picnic tables and European prices. The fry food is fry, cole sauce is industrially produced. The Ketchum is in little packages. The view of the water is nice, parking is easy. read more

My friend and I had the basket with fried clams and haddock. It was delicious and tasted very fresh. The french fries were also great! The staff is very nice. The only feedback I have is that the line could be more efficient. I waited for about 30 minutes on a line with only 10 people. Then I waited again for 15 mins to get the food. I'm still going to give this place five stars for the food and good vibes from the staff. Look forward to returning. read more

Had a fried clam roll today. It was excellent! Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

This is a true New England style seafood establishment. I recommend getting a basket of clams or if you don't like seafood get the chicken finger basket. You will melt just like my heart did when I ate those clams. read more

The fried clams were wonderfully prepared! The coating was just right, bringing a nice crispy contrast to the clam meat underneath, complete with moist, flavorful bellies. The fries were rather bland, though. I think that next time I'll skip 'em and just get the clam box. The setting is simple but nice: outdoors only, with a few picnic tables by the water, across from the rest of the foot traffic at the Willows. Nothing fancy here: just some good summer New England eating. We'll certainly be back for more clams, as well as to explore what else might be on the menu, especially as alternatives to the fries. Given other reviews here on Yelp, perhaps the onion rings? read more

Clam Shack - Clams and fries - Seafood Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Amazing food. Now has become one of my favorite seafood take out places. Very competitive prices to other places but it's about quality vs quantity. Food was not greasy at all. Got fries scallops clam strips and a baked potato and from the first bite to the last bite it was just as crispy. For 20 bucks that was a hell of a deal. As someone who usually catches my own scallops and has had them as fresh as you can get them these were pretty damn close. I just wish there was about 2 more in there lol read more

Went to the clam shack yesterday it was a beautiful day and they were quite busy The clam plates we ordered were great You can tell there oil is clean and the clams were light and very tasty Sometimes at other places I may leave a couple of clams because I don't like the looks of them or because it looks dirty but I ate every single clam from the clam shack The customer service was excellent too. Those young workers look like they really wanted to be there It was a Great Fathers Day meal read more

Just what you would expect and want. Delicious lobster rolls and clam belly rolls. Super fresh! The prices are a little steep but I think that's a good thing for fresh seafood. It's a beautiful spot right near the beach and all those old trees. Great for people watching too! read more

Terrible service and food. Waited 30 minutes for food. Finally admitted that they lost our order and just started it then. Gave us our chowder but it was cold so we had to bring it back. Finally after another 10 minutes we asked for a refund. Never again. read more

Best seafood in salem. Best fried clams in salem Out doors by water my first choice for summer enjoyments. Young friendly energetic professional sraff Great fries generous portions. read more

Great clams, crab cakes and fresh salads, and a very friendly staff (shout out to Bryce). My gourmet lobster roll was excellent! Best I've ever had. Will visit again! read more

I went the second day it opened this season. The prices aren't bad but I wish they list the prices on the window so you didn't have to ask. The clams were good; the bellies were big so I enjoyed it. However the tartar sauce taste so much like relish I couldn't really enjoy it. Overall I liked it and would be back during the summer read more

Love this place! We rarely eat fried food, but when in the mood, this is definitely the place to go! Fried clam platter is fantastic! Huge portions, friendly staff and fairly priced. Great pit stop when hungry and on a bike ride to The Willows! read more

Love everything about the Clam Shack!! We go once a week and always get the clams or scallops. ALWAYS fabulous!!! Everyone at the window is always so sweet, polite and friendly. The lobster roll is amazing and a must!!!! read more

Had the whole belly clam and scallop combo plate and it was surprisingly excellent in taste and not being greasy. The cheeseburger was above average in taste and quality also. Being so close to the water with picnic tables and park benches combined with the shade from one of the oldest trees Ive ever seen this place is quite a gem in the rough. Salem is not an easy place to get to but this place is worth the drive for sure. Another thing for sure is your probably not going to finish your plate because they are very generous in portion size. read more

We went there today for Father's Day. We didn't want to wait in line for two hours, at the Clam Box, as we did for Mother's Day (if the Clam Box had waited on people, and cooked the food, as they normally do, the wait would have been only for them to cook the food - they made people wait to make it look more busy than it was). The food, at The Clam Shack, was soooo much better and fresher! The prices were about $8 a plate cheaper than the Clam Box and had the same amount, if not more, food. They only give a few onion rings so order a side if you want a lot. From now on, this will be our seafood place. I can't wait to try other items on the extensive menu. read more

My wife and I stopped by for dinner last night. She ordered the full belly clam roll and I ordered the shrimp and full belly combo. In my wife's words, the clams were the best she has ever had. I have to agree. We have lived on the North Shore our entire lives and eaten at all the most popular seafood joints. For clams, the Clam Shack has them beat. Perfectly battered in nice clean oil. Our dinner was perfect at a very reasonable price point for clams. This is a must visit restaurant for anyone looking for quality seafood. Kudos to the ownership for a job well done! read more

Visiting from San Antonio, TX and this place was amazing the staff was super friendly and the food was beyond just good. Strongly recommend to anyone visiting salem. read more

Tried them for the first time. Placed mobile order and left my name and phone number. Unfortunately, they never called either. We waited 40 minutes, then went up to the counter. They ended up re-doing the order, took another 15 mins. Don't recommend the steamers. Great fried clams, tiny lobster roll, and onions rings were great. We tried them out, not sure we'll stop by again. Was disappointed at the service and 50/50 on the food. read more

The Clam Shack is a great place to hang by the water and enjoy some delicious sea food. The staff was so friendly and generous! We sat at the tables outside and enjoyed some clam strips and clam chowder and it was an overall great experience. Definitely coming back here to satiate my seafood cravings. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would! read more

We ordered a clam box, fish sandwich, and a lobster roll on a brioche bun. Each item was delicious and cooked perfectly. The customer service was top notch! We will be back! read more

I live in Salem and have known about this place since they opened. My go to spot for seafood is closed from a recent fire. Gave Clam Shack a try today. Not bad, just meh. I had the Captains Combo platter. Everything was a little over fried. Delicate clams should never be over fried. Shrimp were very small, no bigger than my pinky. 3 small onion rings. There were 3-4 chunks of haddock. Very minimal. The thing that really drove down the star rating was the fact that the picnic tables were dirty (crumbs) and NO ONE is coming out to sanitize anything after people leave. Not while I was there anyway. No thanks read more

Tourist up from Texas. The lobster roll was the best I've had, but I was most amazed with the fries! Perfectly crunchy on the outside and warm and soft on the inside. Makes me wish I lived here; I'd be a regular. Customer service was awesome, too. I'll be back if I ever return to Salem! read more

I was looking for a great lobster roll first of the season.. I read all review for clam shack. I have to say the were all positive. I ordered the 18.96 lobster roll on brioche roll with butter. Looked delicious but after 3 bites I realized that it was a disappointment. I keep thinking. Well maybe it will be better. I decided to go talk to the manager. The server was so polite when I told him it was just awful. No taste except salt water. He apologized and went to talk Manager.After a few minutes the server not the Manager came back and asked if I wanted another roll...was he kidding. No I want to know if frozen lobster!?? I thank the server and decided to message on FB I did get an answer they apologized and said I'm sure the owner will mAke it right. I have waited a month & no response o did tell them writing this review read more

We got the gourmet lobster rolls on brioche. I got the cold lobster roll with mayo and it was delicious. The bread was perfectly toasted and the lobster had light mayo. Plenty of lobster meat. My husband got the lobster roll on brioche with butter and he said it was fantastic. The lobster rolls came with plenty of fries. It was 16.95 for the lobster rolls, which is much cheaper than Boston prices! We also got a box of whole claims and it was very tasty. Highly recommended! read more

Decent food at the willows (other than popcorn!)? Pleasantly surprised. We had the crabmeat roll, fried haddock and onion rings. Excellent, fresh and the rings were perfect! Great location and service. The prices were very reasonable for seafood. read more

I recently went to the clam shack and enjoyed some of the best fried clams I've ever had. The clams were crunchy, not greasy or too big. The place was very clean and the servers were great. They have picnic benches outside so you can enjoy your food and take in the beautiful scenery I will definitely be back! read more

Awesome location right by the water. Fair prices and absolutely delicious lobster roll and clams. Picnic table outdoor seating. Truly a crowd pleaser. read more

This is some of the best fried seafood I've had in a while. Drove up from Boston to walk around the culture festival going on. Got fried clams, oysters, and haddock bites... everything was AMAZING. And the staff was super friendly. :) It's also nice being able to take it to go and eating it along the water, though they do have picnic tables available. read more

This is probably the cheapest seafood you can get in the area (if I'm wrong, please correct me). Service was fast and friendly, the food was well-fried and tasted clean. The eating area sees a lot of activity from seagulls, but if you're not feeding them and not leaving your food unattended you should be fine. Don't be a jerk and throw things at them like some of the people here, they're there because others have fed them and they don't deserve that kind of treatment. They have an outdoor eating area and it's a very nice view of the ocean. read more

$16.95 for a hot buttered lobster roll with fries. Very good! Service was slow but very friendly. I would definitely recommend. Nice surprise at Salem Willows. read more

Went to Salem for the Jazz & Blues Festival and was super pumped to find this little spot. It's a little shack (gorgeous) on the waterfront and is a takeout window only.. With picnic tables. The food was delicious--seafood cooked to perfection. The onion rings were delicious and the portions were pretty good for what you pay. The prices were super reasonable for such delicious food. Impressed and can't wait to visit again! The only issue I had was trying to split food out of their boxes without having plates to eat off of! They have a roped area that blocks you off from the rest of the common/grass area--still allows you to feel like you're eating right in the park. read more