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If you like fried clam strips, this place is really awesome. I can't say it's better than the clam box in Ipswich, I'd say they're comparable. Both are expenses. Both are excellent in the service of both are great too. Even being so close to Ipswich with clams come from, I still really expenses wherever you get plans. That's just the way it is. My mom turns mine like this month, so we went to the Willows to get fried clams watch the water. Her birthday is in another week and she wants to go back again on the day of her birthday to repeat one of her favorite meals. We used to sit on a bench facing the water rather than their outdoor seating. The last person actually bought a lobster roll and said it was very very good. It looked like it had very little mayo and no celery and was pure lobster which is great. It was $28 which is actually a very good price for a good lobster roll so no complaints here. Highly recommend it sufficient, good and reliable.
Delicious food! Came for lunch with my mom and aunt. I had the chicken fingers and they were delicious. We had a lot of questions and they were good about answering. Definitely a yummy spot to eat at the Salem willows! I love the outdoor seating area as well. We sat at a table where we could see the water... nice vibes overall. Would definitely come back when visiting the Salem willows.
We went as a large group twice. Def recommend upgrading to the brioche for the lobster roll (cold with mayo). The clam strips, shrimp, scallops, whole clams, cole slaw, and fries were all delicious too. Their tartar sauce is the bomb.com. The lobster roll beat the crab roll, but the crab roll was still delicious. It's a great place to go and grab a table outside, enjoy the view, and have some yummy seafood.
First, I am surprised that i haven't been here prior, but that's a tale of another restaurant's closing. This is a gem. Great menu- we had steamers, lobster roll, and an excellent grilled cheese. Clean picnic tables with umbrellas overlooking the water. Nice staff, fair prices. Hint: Go to Hobbs for dessert.
Amazing lobster roll. Go for the premium for the extra dollar. Perfect place for the kids, take note it is window service. Set with the ocean just on the side of you. So ambiance is a dream.
Super cute local spot on the water....shrimp & clam strips 10/10! Lobster brioche roll 10/10!
The Clam Shack is a seasonal seafood restaurant (but really it is just a shack with no inside seating) located on Salem Willows. I checked it out on a Sunday afternoon in July with my mom. It was pretty busy, with the line wrapping around the side of the building as people waited to order. We ordered a large clam strip basket and a large onion ring. The portion size of the clam strips was massive! They were perfectly battered with a crispy crunch coming right out of the fryer. The onion rings were excellent as well, as they held their circular form and the breading did not fall off, something that tends to happen with a lot of onion rings. They have a number of outdoor picnic tables to sit at or you can get your order to go. The only downside of sitting outside is the seagulls, which have clearly learned that there is fresh food to be had. These birds are daring too, with one of them dive-bombing our table while we were sitting at it in order to steal a clam strip. I'm not sure what the restaurant could do to combat this, considering it sits right on the water, but it did make for a somewhat uneasy eating experience, constantly feeling like you had to be on guard. Ultimately, though, the fresh seafood is worth fighting off the scavengers.
We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon in August and this place was busy as could be! We were initially excited because of the reviews but this will be our only visit to the Clam Shack. We ordered the Clam Bake and a large Onion Rings. The Clam Bake comes with a small lobster, 1/2 pound of steamers, corn on the cob, clam chowder, clam broth and drawn butter. We were going to get a lobster roll as well, but we saw others who had this and none of the rolls were actually filled with lobster meat (~80%). It took roughly 15 minutes for the order to come out and I could understand since they were busy but we were told it's because the steamers take a while to cook. The only problem was the only part of our meal that was cold was the steamers. The clambake lobster and corn was actually fantastic. But the steamers were cold when we got them, the onion rings didn't have any real crunch or flavor and the clam chowder was just ok. All in all, this place is located in a great spot and is convenient, but not worth the hype.
My husband and I shared a box of fried calamari, and the batter was very light, fluffy, and fresh tasting. The size was ample, and the young adult who took our order was kind and efficient. The picnic tables all had umbrellas and were clean, the view of the harbor was very nice, and they had classic pop music playing from their outdoor speakers, which was fun to listen to. We will be back to try more of the large menu they offer.
The Clam Shack in Salem serves up some seriously tasty fried seafood! I ordered the fried clam strips and fried shrimp plate, and everything was hot, crispy, and full of flavor. The line was absolutely insane, which is the only reason this isn't a 5-star review. Luckily, I discovered a life hack--placing an order online to skip the wait. At $30, it's not cheap, but the quality and portion size made it worth it.
This place is a must for anyone who enjoys seafood. I came here on a Monday night after a day of work. Clam shack is just as advertised in the name: a small building dedicated to serving seafood and other fried goodies from the take out window. The staff were very helpful l. they took my order, gave me my ticket, and I sat and waited. And only for a few minutes. I ordered a lobster roll on a buttered brioche roll. The lobster was tender and juicy, and the buttery roll complemented it perfectly. The portion of fries that came with it was generous. And even better, it was a $23 lobster roll instead of the stupidly expensive $50 ones you'll get if you grab one in Boston. Well worth the price. And to top it all off, there's a gorgeous view of the harbor. Whether visiting this area or a Boston native, definitely make your way up here.
Let's face it, fried seafood can taste amazing if done reasonably well. And the Clam Shack executed my Scallop Plate very nicely. Our party of four grabbed a picnic table with a nice ocean view. About 10 minutes after our order, I was enjoying hot and crispy, fresh tasting scallops. They were nicely cooked, and didn't have too much batter, so they weren't overly heavy. Their fries were also excellent, hot, crispy, delicious. The lobster rolls were given positive reviews from my co-diners. The casual Salem Willows environment was perfect, on this warm summer day. The Clam Shack is located in Salem Willows Park, a 35 acre park located on the ocean with picnic areas, a beach, walking paths, fishing, tennis, basketball courts, arcade games, and restaurants. It's a great place to visit, if you not afraid of the Salem witches!
3 years ago
I had a combination plate of whole clams and haddock bites with fries. When I bit into the haddock it was eating a piece of heaven! So moist and light! Cooked perfectly and so fresh!!! Delicious! The clams were good too! Nice delicate flavor. I'm going back again today for more haddock!!! read more
5 years ago
The go-to place to eat after you had a ton of fun at the arcades over at Salem Willows! The line goes by very quick and it doesn't take long for them to have your food ready! Very efficient! Really love this area too because it overlooks the beach area and there are both picnic tables and lots of shady areas along the park to set up a picnic blanket! We got the Pick 2 Plate (Haddock + Clam Strips) and a Lobster Roll. The plate was huge portion-wise, definitely something shareable! The lobster roll was good, but I'd pass on it the next time I come here as they gave little lobster meat for the price (pricey!!) compared to other places I've been to. read more
3 years ago
Oh my gosh, what a little gem!! We stopped at the Clam Shack on a whim after visiting family in town. My husband wanted some fried clams, so we looked up a few places before picking this one. We went a little later in the day, so it was very quiet, but I imagine it gets busy around lunch time. We ordered the lobster roll (hot, brioche bun and butter), and it was fantastic! Loaded with plenty of lobster and a great mix of pieces. My husband ordered the fried clams, and they were perfect- not super greasy, not a single off flavored one, etc. We also ordered a chocolate peanut butter pie slice to share at the recommendation of the cashier. She was right, it was so good!! Not overly sweet, and the perfect size. The service was great. I mean it's a clam shack, lol, so nothing fancy. But the gals taking orders and prepping food were super friendly and sweet. Everything was SUPER clean. Staff came around frequently to wipe off tables and kept an eye out for stray trash pieces. And the view was amazing- it was so relaxing to sit and look out over the harbor. The one negative thing (which we actually found entertaining) was that the seagulls are pretty sassy and clearly know where to get good food also. They are pretty brave and will try to snag food from the careless person who doesn't guard it, but they won't bother you. Will definitely be going back!! read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
I'm glad we made the effort to visit Willows Park while in Salem. The park has great views and the food at Clam Shack was delicious. The lobster roll was great, we then went with the pick two basket and got fried shrimp and fried scallops - never tried fried scallops before and they were amazing. I would have liked to try more items off the menu. Recommend to a friend. read more
4 years ago
Definitely recommend the hot lobster roll on the brioche bun. It's very savory and the butter makes it even more tender. Paired with crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside fries. 10/10 recommend. The staff is very friendly and kind. The owner should be proud. Can be quite a line outside, so call ahead and pay by phone. Bring a blanket so you can eat by the water. Just watch out for the seagulls. They can be aggressive! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
So good! Had the clams and and the scallops in butter where to die for! The view was amazing and the old style amusement park was awesome! read more
4 years ago
I have traveled the entire New England coast with my family many times... The fried clams, AMAZING!!!! Might be the best I've ever had. We eat lobster and clams for breakfast lunch and dinner when traveling New England so I'd say I've had my share. Absolutely worth the spend, you will not be disappointed. My family also enjoyed lobster rolls that were up with the best rolls we've had in our days. To top it off, the staff was super friendly and the setting is perfect. We will definitely be back! read more
I crushed some Clam Shack in the middle of a tropical storm, running through puddles from my car to the order window. I'd have done the same if it were a hurricane. Or the apocalypse. The clams were that good. Willing-to-perish-for good... read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Delicious!!! I ordered their buttered lobster roll and fried haddock&fried scallops. Both orders came with French fries. Usually I don't care for the type of French fries that are served with lobster rolls or fried seafood plates, but these fries were freshly fried which made it have a nice warm crunch! Loved them! They offer Mayo lobster and buttered lobster with your choice of brioche bun or hot dog bun. I appreciate the fact that they have these options since so many other places do not. I got the buttered lobster roll on a toasted brioche bun and it was filled pretty well with lobster, could be better. Tasted great though! They have an option of a "pick 2" plate of fried seafood options. I picked their fried scallops and fried haddock. I have no complaints! Both were delicious! They gave me just enough tartar sauce. Outdoor bench seating provided. They have benches that seat about 4 and smaller benches that seat 2. Great atmosphere and very friendly workers who smiled and said their thanks! Just thinking of their food right now as I type this review makes me hungry enough to return very very soon! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
We visited 2 days prior to labor day and arrived at the shack at about 2pm. Despite it being later in the afternoon, there was quite the long line and we ended up having to wait 10-15min before putting in our order at the order window. The line moves very quickly but go prepared knowing what you will order or deciding from the menu while waiting on line so as not to hold up everyone else. The staff taking the order was super friendly and the ordering process was smooth. The staff repeats your order back to you at the end so as to make sure nothing was missed gives a numbered pick-up slip for picking up your order when it is ready at the side Pick-Up window. We got 2 clam bakes, a clam chowder, and a plate of clam strips so our total came out to a little less than $85. SEATING: I believe there were about 6-10 patio tables and benches with umbrellas avalable for outdood seating, and each table could seat around 4-6 people. We managed to snag a table after ordering, which was great, but it CAN be a pain to sit near the shack because it gets super windy with the water being nearby. There are a few picnic tables nearby the area OR you could easily just bring some towels or a picnic blanket to simply sit on the grass and have your meal under the shade of the willow trees. The FOOD: We waited 30min for our food, but don't worry normally the food does NOT take this long to prepare at the shack. We were informed ahead of time that our clam bakes could take a while because of the clams and lobsters having to be steamed so we appreciated the heads up. I could rave for hours about the clam chowder, which was by far our favorite. Not too watered down and just the right consistency! Plus it was also not too salty and had plenty of clam pieces that paired perfectly with oyster crackers. SO YUMMY & so worth getting the chowder while visiting the shack. The clam bakes (chick lobster set that comes with chowder, corn cob, and 1/2lb steamers) were equally as delicious, but the only complaint we had was that it was difficult to break the lobster shells by hand as the grooves made in them were quite shallow and the plastic forks given to us would keep bending when trying to maneuver the meat out of the shells. Overall: Such a worthy visit for great food in a beautiful park with picturesque waterside views and only 30-40min drive away from Boston. Whadda ya waiting for?! Come on down to the Clam Shack read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Great location and great, fresh seafood! I have been going to the clam shack annually for about 3 years every summer. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 due to the extremely long wait for my food. I ordered ahead as I normally do when it's a humid day to avoid waiting in the heat. I was told 30 minutes to pick it up. En route to pick up the food, I received a phone call from them stating they needed an additional 10 minutes because they were busy, which was nice of them to update me. Once I arrived, it took an additional 30 minutes vs the 10 minutes I was told. The service is always friendly and you get a great view while you wait. This is a summer staple if you live north shore and love seafood! read more
When in the North Shore, how can you not get fresh seafood? Visiting my friend in Salem, I was on a mission to get my fix, and was pleasantly surprised at this little shack in the middle of Salem Willow Park. The only seating is outside at a handful of picnic tables, but the view from where you can sit was so pleasant and exactly what I needed. The pricing is on par with market pricing, but cheaper than going to the beachside seafood locations. The food was so good with ample portions! They didn't have calamari listed, so I had to ask if they had it - which they did. Definitely recommend this place if you're looking to get your seafood fix and happen to be in the area. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
Do not miss out on this gem in Salem. Grab your food and find a picnic bench near the water. Great views. The willows is a bit in the quiet side since most of it is closed down due to the pandemic- Kids loved the chicken tenders- they wanted some to bring home!! Very generous portions of all. read more
4 years ago
Great little place for a lobster roll and a great view. Beware of the hungry sea gulls they can be aggressive. read more
4 years ago
The Clam Shack is an unpretentious, laid back spot with all the staples you'd hope to find along the Massachusetts coast--lobster rolls, clam chowder, crab cakes. There's only outdoor dining, but it's situated in a peaceful park along the north Salem waterfront. It was the perfect start to our trip, and I would definitely recommend it. read more
4 years ago
Headed back to Logan Airport from Gloucester and yelped a good place to eat in Salem, after co sidrring other non waterfront options, went with Clam Shack! Glad we did, lovely lunch at take out window and picnic benches on the waterfront with a great view. Perfect. Food was great too. read more
4 years ago
Mmmm yes mam. We had the lobster rolls and they are so amazing. And a good price compared to a lot of places. This is such a cool little place to go. If you are not from around here. There is lots of things to do close by it also. And a little beach to look for sea glass at. Get it with the brioche bun. So much more goodder read more
4 years ago
4 years ago
Where can you get a lobster roll for that price?! Most places $30. Not a huge one but delicious. I recommend the regular ne style with mayo on the hot dog roll with a side of butter to drizzle over. And I don't understand why people eat clams without the belly. Also the crab roll is awesome. Clam chowder etc. Everything is great there. They only have the clam strips for tourists. read more
4 years ago
Great lunch spot while visiting Willows Park. Really enjoyed the outside seating. Took us about 30 minutes to get through the line and receive our food. It's was well worth the wait! We had the fried clam and scallop rolls and clam chowder. Everything was delicious and the staff was friendly and efficient! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
I went out of my way to eat at Clam Shack, and I am so glad I did! I caught them on their second last weekend of the season, so apparently they are only open certain times of the year. I ordered the scallop plate and it was amazing!! There were a ton of scallops, and they were cooked perfectly. I was particularly impressed by this because I know how easy it is to overcook scallops. They were also breaded perfectly, enough to give a nice and crispy shell, but not so much to overpower the scallop flavor. I don't usually have tartar sauce with scallops, but the homemade sauce was so good I couldn't resist! I also got extra to have with my fries. Sadly, I was disappointed in the clam chowder. There wasn't a single piece of clam, there were only 5 tiny pieces of potato, and the flavor was lacking. It tasted like drinking a bowl of hot cream. However, this didn't affect my star rating because the scallops were SO. FREAKING. GOOD. The location was right on the water, in a peaceful park area. Street and cheap meter parking was plentiful. Bathrooms were the public park bathrooms, which were definitely dirty, as one would expect. But the outside eating environment was very pleasant, especially on a beautiful day like when I visited. I'm not sure if I will be in the Salem area again, but if I am, I will be sure to visit Clam Shack! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
I have always heard people roar about how amazing the clams/seafood are at Salem Willows, so my boyfriend and I decided to go check it out! I cannot believe in my 18 years of living on the North Shore that this was my first time going! Not only was the food incredible, but everything about the experience was amazing! The Clam Shack is such a cute little hut right in the Salem Willows area (sort of to the side near the water) and the service was 10/10. The girl who took our order was SO pleasant (I wish I knew your name, but you told me your uncle owned the place!). The manager (I believe?) came to the window to accommodate my boyfriend and I's special request that wasn't on the menu, and was super cool about it! Ugh we cannot wait to come back!!!!! The only request I have is more clams (because they're amazing) and chicken fingers with our plate we received, but it wasn't even on the menu so we can't even be mad! read more
3 years ago
Delicious food. Fresh Lobster! The yummy lobster roll was the best. Great place to sit outside and enjoy the fresh sea breeze. Beware of the seagulls. They will swoop down to steal your food when you're not looking. One came and tried to take my baked potato. read more
3 years ago
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