Good fried seafood. We fed 5 adults and three kids today for the $100, which you really can't beat! This is the place that my family and I used to go after a day of fishing during my childhood... After so many years, it's still good! The super whole belly clam dinner ($26) is definitely more than enough for two people. We got two of those to split among four of us as well as the fish and chips and some other food for the kids. Everything came out pretty quickly! The whole belly clams were a bit greasy, so it's definitely a no-more-than-once-a-year visit for me. I also thought it was a little strange how stingy they were with the straws and tarter sauce. After lunch, we went out to the back where the kids were able to ride the carousel and have some ice cream. This was a great location for kids! read more

Fish Tale - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

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I've had their whole belly clams, RI clam chowder, lobster roll and swordfish. All delicious. I call it my local fish diner.

Greasy Greasy I can believe they would do that to seafood I didn't hav enough napkins

Great and fresh seafood none of which was frozen-except for the shrimp. We ordered the large platter it was an effort to be contained cod shrimp scallops whole belly clams sweet potato fries and it was really really delicious. They have a pretty decent clam shouter but it's a Rhode Island style which is the broth type also excellent. It's a pretty large place posing as a seafood shack but there's no tableservice you go up and order your food and then they caught your number. They told me most of their seafood comes from the Boston area- I believe it because it was so fresh and good. If only everything wasn't deep-fried.. read more

After all these years the fish is still very fresh and the portions are generous. We love to sit outside where we can bring our dog and our own beverages. For the kids there is a merry go round. Nice place. read more

This was always a must stop on my week long trip to the CT shore. Would get the twin lobsters or one of their excellent fried platters. I'd even buy my yearly t-shirt on the way out. But with COVID, they stopped serving lobsters. Not sure why, but okay, stuff changed with COVID. Now TWO AND A HALF YEARS since COVID, still no lobsters! Okay. So I got the fried two way combo of shrimp and whole belly clams. That never disappointed in the past with the generous amount they would give you. But no. It had seven shrimp. SEVEN. The whole belly clams were over cooked and barely had bellies. On top of this, I was told the lobsters were probably never coming back. My son got the lazy mans lobster. I'd be surprised if it wasn't previously frozen given how rubbery it was. But hey, the t-shirts were still cool. I won't be going back. read more

We will start with the good...the hot lobster roll! Ohhh man it amazes me how something can have so little ingredients yet still taste so masterful. That was a real experience. It was pricey, but not near as pricey as the whole belly clams. Apparently those are a Connecticut specialty and I approve. My justification for paying $34 is that it was a cool experience trying out something so different. It was like calamari but with more flavor. Though my wife got a little psyched out when she realized that we were eating the clam "guts" and entire digestive system, including the poop lol but what you have to realize is it's not a mammal, and you're not eating poop in the disgusting sense that we typically would think. They are mollusks, a completely different organism, and eating it whole just gives it extra (and way better) flavor - giving it a cream cheese filled texture. Open your mind and you will love them, especially with the sauce and lemon juice. The sweet potato fries were savory which would normally turn me off, but these things were done just right. The only thing we had that wasn't delicious was the clam chowder - it was a huge letdown. It wasn't creamy at all and barely had any clams inside, all potatoes instead. I was very surprised since Connecticut is supposed to specialize in clam chowder, but it didn't bother us too much because the rest of the food was so impressive. read more

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We stopped in for lunch as we have had many times in previous years on way to beach. The service has changed over the years but a great quick stop for some delicious seafood. Can't get any closer to the beach. read more

We went there for the lobster roll which was written up in the paper as being in the top ten. Never again!! The lobster was mostly the rubber part of the claw, the butter was a butter oil or flavoring. The worst lobster roll I had in my life!! The best is at Nick's charcoal pit on Middletown Ave in North Haven or Lenny's seafood in Indian Neck Branford. read more

I can see how this place is super nostalgic for locals and summer visitors alike who remember it as a roadside clamshack childhood staple. With its gritty interior, counter service, basic picnic tables and lack of waterfront views (or any real ambiance), I find myself more partial to L&J's more scenic New Haven location. Still, I can totally see how summer regulars (like my dining companion!) long for the no-frills Madison spot year round. My buttered lobster roll was pretty basic and after receiving it, I found the line way too long to pop back to ask for a squeeze of lemon. Still, while a tad skimpy, it was pretty tasty and I was in great company so I can't really complain there. LOVE their little carousel and ice cream shack - so much fun for kids and the soft serve swirl ice cream completely hit the spot. Given a choice, I'd head to another L&J's location but kudos to them for being an area staple since the late 1970s - they're definitely doing something right! read more

Fish Tale - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

For whatever reason, no one has ever bothered to add this location of Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale until now... well it's always exciting to discover and fix a massive blindspot on Yelp! To clear up any confusion, here is a quick description of the 3 Lenny & Joe's locations: New Haven: table service, awesome seafood, beer and wine, right on the water Westbrook: table service, awesome seafood, beer and wine, cozy sit-down restaurant Madison: counter service, awesome seafood, no alcohol but they have soft serve ice cream, massive outdoor seating area with carousel The Madison location is the Lenny & Joe's I have eaten at the most, and it's my favorite, for the casual nature and the beautiful outdoor seating area, where we can bring out dog. There is a full size carousel with all proceeds going to charity, and a separate walk-up counter for soft serve ice cream. In the summer, my family's favorite is the CT-style lobster rolls (hot buttered lobster on a toasted hotdog bun) and in the colder months, the fried clam roll with tartar on the side. The fish and chips platters are super tasty as well. Hammonassett Beach State Park is right across Route 1, making this Lenny and Joe's the perfect stop to refuel after a day in the sun! read more

Fish Tale - Fried clam rolls - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

Always consistently good fried seafood. Especially like the Madison location better than New haven. Great to come after beach, nice rustic wood tables, ice cream and carousel outside. I've been here more times than I can count ... Ok maybe I could count it, I just can't remember how many! :-) read more

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For years, I've only gone to the Westbrook location, but on our way back from the beach, we stopped here since it's just a few minutes away. It was fairly busy when we arrived, but the line is also misleading because everyone is standing around waiting for their order....not the best setup. I ordered a special of shrimp tacos (3 soft tacos with choice of sauce, and while chicken and fish were also options, you could not have one of each). Shrimp was perfectly fried, not greasy at all. Good thing it came with asauce because there was no seasoning. It came with coleslaw, but I'm not a fan, so ordered fries and corn on cob. For the price, the fries were a very small portion. Matthew's salmon dish, on the other hand, was a nice portion. Brown rice and veggies rounded out the dish. The outdoor picnic tables were nice, staff was young and uninterested, confusing order/pickup system, food was decent, albeit disproportionate to price in some occasions. I'll stick with the other locations. read more

There really isn't anything like Lenny & Joes. I grew up coming here so the seafood is what I compare all other seafood too! Get ANYTHING on the menu -- they do have healthy options, but be prepared that mostly everything is fried or not gluten free. The Baked Stuffed Sole is amazing, or I opt for the fish & chips. Any of the seafood platters are good too - big portions! Get the fried pickles or zucchini for the appetizer! And don't forget to leave with a T-shirt or sweatshirt which are very reasonably priced. I also always like to eat on the patio! read more

A mama with two kids with special needs has a hard time finding a restaurant. Hubby wanted a lobster roll. Can I tell you how welcoming this place was to us? The hostess, the waitress, everyone was so lovely. We appreciate the staff and the food was great! Kiddos loved pizza and hubby loved all the seafood! read more

Fishtale used to be our Winter seafood place until recently. The last time we were there, we were told that we couldn't park in the handicap space even though we have a handicap plaque hanging from our mirror. They refused to take our order unless we moved the car to a spot which made it impossible for my 89 year old mother to use the restroom. In addition, for the last two times we went there, we asked for two plates with our order as we split the seafood combo as neither of us can eat the whole thing. Each time, they swore they added the plates and we found there was only one plate in the bag. I have always given them a $10.00 tip so, I can't understand why they are suddenly being like this. We won't be returning. We find the food better at Donahue's Clam Castle, which is just across the street, anyway. It is where we go in the Summer time. They give a bigger piece of fish, bigger shrimp, and bigger scallops. The fries are 100xs better too. I can see why Donahue's is rated as the number one seafood place on the shore. I don't recommend this place for anyone who is handicapped. read more

We came to this place because the clam castle was closed for the season. We had a pretty good experience. The cashier was nice and our food came out pretty quickly. The reason for the missing last star: the food was just okay. There was not really enough flavor, like there was something missing. We ordered the fried shrimp dinner and the dinner with the shrimp, fish, scallops, and clam strips. You get quite a bit of food. We honestly could have shared but that's okay because we had leftovers and we're ok with that. I also had the chocolate milkshake which was perfect! It was the perfect consistency to sip through the straw. It was my favorite part. I would recommend this place for a quick filling bite but there just something missing as far as the lack of seasonings. read more

Great service, great hot seafood or burgers! Yummy soft ice cream! A carousal for little ones. Very clean.

Pulled in and didn't realize it was take out only. When I said I did not want take out, the restaurant worker called me a bitch. I will never stop here again. read more

The food is amazing!! Group ranged from 47-2. Everyone was happy, happy happy!! The scallops, clam strips , cod and the cole slaw!! It was all amazing! Make a stop here you won't be disappointed!! read more

Went there for lunch had a special. Fish with clam strips asked if I could replace the clams with clams whole paid the extra and it was worth it. Also had to try the lobster Bisque because of reviews it was definitely worth it and had pieces of lobster in it and was awesome. It was simple place but you go there for the Seafood not a high class restaurant. Don't miss this one if you're in the area. read more

Great lobster bisque. I always get my order in as soon as they open to avoid the crowd.

See guys, here's the tricky thing about returning back to a restaurant that you have fond childhood memories of. It is very often not as fantastic as you remembered, and instead you find yourself in the position of Yelp shaming them. Nostalgia is all well and good, but I'm going to have to be honest here, because this time the nostalgia was just not good enough. I remembered perfectly golden brown battered and crispy fried shrimp, tart and tasty tartar sauce, salted crinkle cut fries, a cup of delicious cole slaw, a toasty bun piled high with buttery salty picked lobster, and a bowl of creamy lobster bisque perfection. I got none of those things. My shrimp? Soggy and spongey, the batter was just peeling off the shrimp as soon as I sat down. They have changed the fries and they were just plain, dry, and overcooked. The slaw was very watery and sweet. The bun for my lobster roll was not toasted at all, so it was just a soggy mess that absorbed the lobster juice, split down the middle and fell apart. The texture of the bun was so unpleasant I just picked the lobster out of the inside, unfortunately the picked lobster was full of tiny shell pieces. And in my lobster bisque I was greeted with many large pieces of shredded carrots, not lobster, floating around. The ordering system is, in short, chaos. But I remember it always being like that. I do NOT, however, remember ever having such a poorly prepared meal there, and neither did anyone I went with. This restaurant has such a constant flow of customers, in what is a prime summer/fall location. There is absolutely no excuse for such poor food. Lenny & Joe's...you're breaking my heart. read more

Not that great. Cold food. Greasy Food. Inconsistent amounts of food. Hit or Miss, but this summer has been a consistent miss. I have been going there for over 20 years. I have to agree with Valerie S. We all remember the Good Old Days, but they have passed by for this place. I will say that the Westbrook Location is always good. Ask for it Hot and ask for Julia, she's the best server. read more

I've been coming to Lenny & Joe's for years. Usually I stop in anytime I'm visiting the New England area. It's very good quality casual seafood dining at an affordable price. You place your order at the counter, find a table, and wait for your number to be called. Very laid back atmosphere with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating (weather permitting). I think they have one of the best lobster rolls around. It's made with butter instead of the usual mayonnaise, which obviously isn't any healthier, but it adds a little more sweetness and the flavor of the lobster shines through a bit more. It's a great place to visit and sit back, relax and enjoy some nice seafood fare. read more

We really enjoyed both our seafood meals here -- very fresh grilled fish and great sauce with sides. Great curbside parking spots. I thank them for providing such good service during the pandemic! read more

I've heard people rave about this place and couldn't imagine what all the fuss is about. I finally got to this place, seems pretty much the same as all the other seafood shacks along the shore- picnic tables, order at the window etc but the food was absolutely delicious! You could tell this seafood was fresh! Highly recommend. read more

The service was terrible. I know they are working to accommodate people during this difficult time. I try to be more patient and understanding but the service was awful. It took 20min to take my order but then the waitress didn't put in my order she went to 5 other tables taking there orders and then entering them all in at once. I had an hour lunch brake and eventually had to ask for it to go because it was taking so long. I ate in the car while driving back to work. Definitely not using my lunch break for this place. read more

I have been eating at the Madison establishment since it opened 20+ years ago and have been buying their gift certificates for Christmas for the past 7+ years. Never had a bad meal. Very organized as it does a huge business with lots of customers but always clean and they keep the line going. My one little gripe, I love lobster bisque and they put shaved carrots in it and I do not care for carrots so no lobster bisque for me, drats. read more

No weird fishy taste in the shrimp this time. Delicious! Everything was cooked to perfection and wonderful. Not a crumb left on the plate for the whole family. Also, the fries have been upgraded since my last review. They're not the crinkle cut ones anymore. Very good. read more

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Came here today on our way back from Rhode Island.. because mainly they are pet friendly. I don't like leaving bad reviews because I think some places have an off day. This review is not about service, during uncertain times like this of covid- they're a doing it really good although i have to say way over the top. First of all, you have to use a porter potty-- that is just gross! There's a way to use a clean bathroom inside if properly maintained. Next food.. I'm not a picky eater and I know my seafood well.. this place is terrible. Clam chowder was just disgusting, it was more like a potato soup mixed in with clam broth and water- had 3 spoonfuls, both my boyfriend and I threw it out. It was a waste of money. Sautéed lobster- lobster was tasteless, chewy and overcooked. Had one bite and dumped, rice was tasteless and veggies were not seasoned. The worst meal. His hot lobster roll- meager portion of lobster and again overcooked lobster meat.. .. the hotdog bun tasted better than the lobster itself. Fried clams were the only saving grace - had probably 8 whole bellies.. but there's more batter. If you have been to the best seafood places in Maine, NH and Newport RI, you will know what seafood is all about and will not waste money here. For $120 today.. it was very disappointing. The worst lobster I've ever had and one of the worst meal. Do better Lenny and joes.. such a shame. read more

Fish Tail desperately needs to eliminate the wait staff concept and bring back ordering at the cash registers. It's not working and will only get worse when the beach crowds start to show up. Think about it. read more

They are well organized for COVID seating outside. The food is decent and definitely hits the spot after a day at the beach when you want fried seafood. It's not extraordinary but good. read more

Out of all the Lennie and Joe's locations...this one in Madison Ct is the best! The Lobster Rolls are beyond delicious! The fried clams are off the hook amazing!! I've been to several of their restaurants and this one by far is the best!! It's worth the trip!! read more

Overall the food was ok. We had a fried shrimp dinner, the seafood platter (forget their name) and a burger for my son. The shrimp platter was hot and tasty. The seafood platter ordered with whole clams was warm to cool and missing any whole clams, only clam strips. I would say it was average at best. Make sure to check your order to get what you wanted. read more

Lenny and Joe's Fish Tale has been a shoreline favorite for my whole life. The clam strip rolls are amazing! My dad got whole bellies which were really good also. When I was a kid I would get the fried platter with fish, shrimp, scallops, and clams. Everything is very fresh. Restaurant has a shoreline seafood feel with plenty of booth seating both inside and out. It is always clean. Staff is always nice. Prices are reasonable. Love Fish Tale. If you are in town definitely stop for some fresh seafood! read more

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My sister and I were craving seafood today so we tried Lenny and Joe's for the first time. I got whole belly clams and onion rings, she got a hot lobster roll and fries. She had diarrhea as soon as she got home 45 minutes later and I just threw up 4 times as soon as I got home. No thank you.. read more

So... For anyone who lives in CT they know that Lenny & Joe's has 3 locations. This one doesn't have table service you place your order you take it to your table or in the spring & summer they have picnic tables outside people bring tablecloths sometimes & whatnot. You could bring your own beverages etc. They are very nice Carousel w/ rides that the kids can go on. There was also a little ice cream hot that you can get cones, dishes & sundaes also open seasonally. The tables inside or you know just wooden boots that sit 4 people. In the room off of that they have boots that are a bit bigger that could fit 5/ 6 people a little tight and they have a few extra wooden chairs you could put on the end. So we went 5 adults & 3 kids ages 6,3 &2. They do have high chairs but we don't use them. I happen to like the location in Westbrook BC they have a better menu with a lot more choices than what they have here. Here you know it's a lot of fried food & a lot of stuff is also only available seasonally for example like one of my favorite things is there corn on the cob. Half the time I come here I wind up getting the chicken teriyaki served over wild rice. I'm at a seafood restaurant I would like to be having Seafood. When I go to Westbrook I can get stuffed shrimp or flounder. They have crab cakes, shrimp casseroles you also have the option to have your food cooked in garlic, butter or lemon etc. They have side salads which they do not have it this location. If you want a house salad it is $6.99 on top of your Neil which is anywhere from $16.99 up to about $22.99 a lot of stuff is also MP but all locations have MP. Sometimes they give you a hard time about taking substitutions with the sides at this Madison location when Westbrook does not plus they have a largest selection of sides. You can also add your side salad onto your entree for a lot less and not get this ginormous house salad. You know your meals are served on paper plates, plasticware etc. In Westbrook you have nice dinner napkin, nice warm loaf of bread served at the table. This location tends to be you know if you want a quick meal I guess in and out a lot of people order food to go. Both locations are busy in the summer however I find this place to be a bit more busier in the summer since I think it attracts more of the vacationers. But Westbrook location is always busy but it has lots of room tons of boots and tables can easily accommodate tables for at least 12 + people. So I didn't get to take any photos of the food but I will post the photo of our receipt & menu. All places have daily specials. It was not my decision to go here it was my nephew's decision his 6th birthday & my sister said we're going here BC it's closer to her home... FYI: Kids meals do not come with beverages. They don't care if you bring drinks. If you're eating inside the restaurant they don't want alcoholic beverages however if you're sitting outside I often see people w/ bottles of wine & beer & that is okay read more

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I have been coming here for 20 years with my family. The lobster roll was what I always had and it was 100% of the time always delicious and fresh. Today I went in to get this and it was NOT fresh. Dry and fishy. I realized when I left full boiled lobsters aren't on the menu so I am assuming it's packaged lobster that is being delivered. If you want a good lobster roll, go to Lobster Landing down the street. All of the other seafood here is excellent but the lobster situation needs to be addressed as true seafood lovers aren't stupid. read more

Spencer is the greatest employee. The food is also cooked by a master fryer. Outside seating is nice and close to hammonasset.