Always a solid meal here! My favorite is the clam strips, but have changed my diet so I tried the sautéd shrimp and lobster. It was delicious! Not overly greasy and the veggies were nice and crisp! My DH got the broiled haddock and enjoyed that as well! The servers are always nice too! This location did change from an order at the counter place to a traditional wait to be seated and served which was nice. read more

Fish Tale - Sautéed shrimp and lobster - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

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Lets start with the clam chowder. Terrible at best. A can of Campbells soup would be a major upgrade. The fish sandwich was a serious disappointment. A small chunk of fish in a bun. You would be better off at McDonalds. For everything else portions are small and greasy. Find a better place to spend your money. read more

Hello summer! This is a classic outdoor glorified seafood shack. Don't get me wrong, it has some indoor seating and it's a full service place but the vibe on this place is total summer. You get assigned a picnic table (there are lots of them) and then order at a stand. It's easy and the food get delivered to your table. We were here for the seafood. It's wonderful. Got the whole belly platter and there were lots of clams without being too greasy. Fries are solid. The clam strips are also quite good if you're not into the whole belly. Dining companions raves about the hot lobster roll and the scallops as well. Really it was just about a perfect way to spend a warm summer Saturday night. Put your cares away. read more

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I've always thought the food and vibes here were amazing since I was little! I love the outdoor benches where you eat. The hot dog has always been a favorite of mine and you can never go wrong with their fried food with their delicious tartar sauce!! They have you order at a window and then call your name when the food is ready, making the service quick and efficient. For further review, check out @gbennieats on Instagram read more

Fish Tale - Hot dog and fried scallops - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

Seafood chowder is a must. Traditional New England style, not too thick. Very flavorful with chunks of clam and potatoes. Yum!

Great simple place to enjoy simple seafood dishes with family after visiting beach. Very friendly service and kids are welcome. There is even real carousel in the backyard. read more

Servers here are great and very friendly. The food quality is only ok which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. The seafood is fresh which is good but the breading on the fish and chips always feels lazy and it never stays on. read more

In town for a long weekend and my wife craved a good lobster roll or fried clams with the bellies. Lenny and Joe's Fishtail had been highly recommended. We were headed for the Connecticut shore and decided to try them. They were fairly crowded but we were seated quickly. I ordered the hot lobster roll. My wife ordered the fried clams with the bellies. The waitress stated that their onion rings were very good, so add them to our order. The facility is older and well worn. The restroom was not dirty but did not feel clean. I get it that they are a summer hangout but I question if it has been updated since the 60's. It just looks tired. The food arrived and again, presentation was minimal. I had a long skinny, top cut roll with lobster and appeared to have poured hot butter over the top. The flavor was fair but the roll was soaked in butter. The coleslaw was adequate. My wife only ate the generous quantity of clams and left her soaked roll also. The onion rings were served on a paper plate along with all the other entrees. The rings were not crisp and were in a pool of oil. I love the small mom and pop shops. I go out of my way to support them. Lenny and Joes in Madison is not on my return list. The food was below par and ever though they are making money, they need to update the restaurant and food prep presentation. I get that they are a local institution, but I am not a fan and will be searching for a better lobster shack on my next visit to Connecticut. read more

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Service is very good here and staff is very helpful. Our favorite dish is the fisherman's platter with whole-belly clams. It doesn't matter if the clams are large or small, they are succulent and lightly breaded. We are from Maine and consider ourselves to be connoisseurs. So, any size of the clams considered to be tender or not is a myth. The shrimp on the platter is out of this world. My personal favorite are the sea scallops. My wife doesn't eat them, so they are all mine. Maybe the fish could be a little larger. She says the tarter sauce is excellent. And it doesn't matter which store you go to, the food is the same. read more

Fish Tale - Fisherman's platter take out. Making me hungry. - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

I was overcharged and had to identify problem.Ihad been there in the past ordered whole belly clams on seafood platter. There wee 4 clams . As well the chowder is lack luster.boy had this place changed read more

Always a pleasure to visit this age old seafood establishment right on the coast. With a wonderful carousel, delicious crabs and lobsters, and a home town feel, I have been coming to Lenny and Joe's for the better part of twenty five years. They always have great options and local favorites. The ordering has changed a bit, they offer table service now! Having a waitress is a great part of the experience. The staff was all nice and friendly. I got the Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Clam Strips, and a lemonade. Definitely great tasting and a good portion of food. Can't wait to come back in the summer to sit outside! It's o oh a few blocks from the state park so you can swing by after a big day of ocean fun. read more

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Food was overcooked and chewy. Service was excellent. Ambiance? I had about 6, supposed to be full belly clams. I had 3 and they were overcooked. I traveled 2 hours to get there. Wife had the cod, and she said it was okay, but portion was smaller. I would rather pay more then get such a smaller and overcooked meal. I should have gone to McDonalds and got the filet of fish sandwich. read more

I found my new 'favorite' menu item today and will 'never go back'! Trying a taco in the land of lobster rolls seems fraught with problems. The fish taco with that coconut curry sauce is excellent. It's fresh and light and filled with flavor. You get the fried fish and in that simplicity you get the best. I can't stop thinking and talking about that sauce as it was such an unexpected treat with a great kick. I partnered it with onion rings and not fries for a great combination of flavors. Got sat a the last table on the porch with so little room for legs or tummy so was a bit uncomfortable. The place was mobbed so service was effective but slow. This is really a place to sit and relax and eat good food prepared to order so there was, for me, no problem. read more

Always love coming here as seafood quality is extremely fresh. Huge venue with quick service. Portion sizes are rather large too so plenty for leftovers. I enjoyed the crab cakes as well as the lobster roll read more

Fish Tale - Crab cakes, fish and chips, lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

Service good Many changes that seem focused on profitability (only table service inside now with waiter, much smaller portions) Lost much of the ew England charm that made it a popular choice. Time to look for new fave! read more

Best chowder Great service The kids love the carousel Scallop roll is my fav Finished at the Ice Cream hut - Perfect ending read more

This was a great sport for casual seafood. They've turned it from quick serve to table service. Now you get quickserve food, still on paper plates, but you have to sit and wait for it. Of course this has led to higher prices plus a tip. They've changed this from a fun quick spot to a cheap table service restaurant. read more

Booth was a bit tight for us big old folks but otherwise it was a great meal. Service was excellent and friendly. Food came out fast and hot. Generous wine pour. Hubby loved his Cajun Salmon salad and my lobster roll, slaw and fries were as good as any I've had any other place. read more

Fish Tale - Cajun Salmon salad - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

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ordered the whole belly clams only. there were only 5 clams, 3 were big. $26.99. what a joke. I ordered a side order of calamari., no flavor and chewy. I went to this place two years ago and it wasn't that great and now it's even worse, never going back. read more

When you're the 8 year old son of a Hartford area Yelper, you can spend a good chunk of the day at Hammonasset Beach, but that means you WILL be hanging out later while your parent eats an L&J's FT hot lobster roll. And maybe even a small order of fried calamari. Or so I hear. I'm not sure if this is a controversial take, but I prefer the L&J's FT lobster roll to the roll from a famous place nearby on the water. I'm not saying the lobster is better at L&J's, but I like the grilled, buttered hot dog roll and whatever that concentrated butter bomb underneath L&J's lobster is better than the components of the other place. In the way that movie theater butter sauce takes the popcorn up a few levels, the L&J lobster butter delivery system just rocks. The calamari was also great. It tasted fresh, the breading was very good and the calamari had perfect texture. I also like the Comeback-ish sauce that comes with it. Great way to end a nice beach day! read more

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After a last second stop the beach driving home from a road trip, decided to stop in. Their gift shop of T-shirts and hoodies was 10/10 - so cute and witty! Liven their food was not bad, it just wasn't anything to write home about. We tried to sit outside and nearly every single table had ice cream or something gross on its. There IS a ton of seating though! Some inside and massive amount of tables outside both in the sun and with shade. read more

Seafood is excellent. $$$ Please consider putting lids on the to go coleslaw. The liquid was all over the Seafood, fries, my backseat of the car, on my mail, on my crochet project, and now, hours later, on an Amazon package and all over my hands. read more

Our annual visit to Lenny and Joes Fishtale never disappoints. They are now very COVID safety protected. Designations for specific parking for pickup, dine in and out are set up. We are now escorted to a table and presented with a paper menu and a table label. You place your order at 1 of 2 manned kiosks and then the staff being tour food to you to your table. I do miss the calling of #s as orders are ready for pickup. The food was hot and crispy and beyond delicious! There are take out containers for those of us that can never finish this amazing meal! I applaud the hard work of the teen and college aged staff as they are the runners to deliver your food to your table. Thank you for this delightful and thoroughly enjoyable end to my day!!! read more

Fish Tale - Large shrimp platter - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

This place is hit or miss. We eat here about 5 times a a year. Sometimes the food is outstanding and sometimes blah. It used to be quaint with its walk up service and placard menus on the wall above the counter. Now it is table service and has lost the fry shack charm. They have also markedly increased prices and now charge for an extra portion of cocktail or tartar sauces. So average but with the chance of better on a good night. read more

Big! Big indoor dining area. Big outdoor dining area. Big portions. Big parking lot. Friendly, fast service. Great fried clam strips and fish. The coleslaw was ehh. Big family atmosphere. read more

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Food and service were very good. I had the Calamari dinner Restaurant was very clean. Lenny and Joe live up to their reputation. We will be back when in the area. read more

So sad to see how BAD this local gem is now. First we were seated in the covered porch area. We had to move as the smell of shellac was very strong. ( They heavily shellac their tables and were clearly just redone.) I can't believe the are seating people in there to eat. We happily moved to the main room and were excited to have the first lobster roll of the season. We all ordered lobster rolls with fries extra lemon and mayo and no drink. The waitress never came back after dropping off our plates at $35.00 per person. This was an issue as she dod not bring the requested mayo fir the fries. And it is what table serve is..."Service"! We did not get the mayo requested and could not make eye connect with our waitress or any other server who passed us. So not to allow the rolls from getting cold, I went to get mayo for the table. I was handed mayo packets. These cheap packets are full of chemicals and sodium and is not close to real mayo. But in the end it didn't matter because the fries were gross. While they did not look burnt, they sure tasted carcinogenic. Which tells me they don't change their frying enough. Not okay. Besides, why would such a high priced restaurant not offer really mayo? How pathetic. The lobster roll were completely dry. Where is the melted butter folks??? We all took turns getting up for our needs that should have been delivered upon serving and preparation. The alternative to getting up to serve your group was waiting for service- which was not an option without dancing on the table and waving them down to even look your way. Run! Don't walk. There are too many great places in this area to get a lobster roll. This is quintessential New Englad food. Madison Fish Tale is a huge disappointment these days. And the owners don't care that you are dissatisfied , as they are running to the bank with the money they are making with this sub-par food and service. This ship has sailed. So bummed. Go elsewhere...You have been warned. read more

Great food. The only reason it's getting a 4 star instead of 5 star rating is that it feels like takeout even though it is a very nice setting. Everything is served in disposable container () , including drinks. No alcohol on the menu. The food however was delicious. We both got the baked cod with with lemon caper sauce, nicely served on the side and (plentiful) rice and fabulously prepared veggie. ( Yes, really). Outstanding meal. read more

Nothing like it used to be.... Got the fried chicken and seems the breading lacks the taste it used to and where are the crinkle fries?

Sigh... far cry from the glory days of Lenny and Joes. Having lived in the area for over 40 years I know the shoreline restaurants well. Outdoor Lenny and Joes was great even after the ownership changed. Now it's just a profit center. Lobster roll was very small with no tail meat at all. Portions were way too small for the prices. The French Fries container was half filled as was the Maine steamers. I'm sorry to say that if you hade great memories of going to the beach and grabbing awesome seafood.... Please move along and pass up L&J. read more

Very easy takeout for top notch casual seafood. Fries were great too. Enjoyed the lobster roll, lobster bisque and fried zucchini. The super size of the dinner platters were enormous and good value. Would recommend! When you arrive you get a menu and park in a numbered spot. Then you call the restaurant and they bring the food to your lane. Very simple read more

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We came all the way from Daytona beach Fl for long neck Whole belly clams. My wife loves them and this was supposed be the place to go. She loves them as did my brother in law. For me good but I have had better in Aster Florida. The scallops I had were very good but for over $100 bill for 4 having a salad with scallops, two orders of clams and a cod sandwich seamed high. Overall OK for me. Just glad my wife loves it. read more

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Whole clams The batter kept falling off - as soon as I picked up a clam. The clams were different in size. The big clams on the top tasted wet and soupy, and the small ones were crispy but only if the batter was still clinging on to them. Hot Dog This hotdog was cooked on a skillet, and it tasted undercooked. I prefer a hotdog cooked on an open flame. $32 approx $4 tip $36 total I will not be going back for a very long time. read more

Fish Tale - Receipt - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

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Grew up coming here as a kid and so happy to be back with the family! We came after a trip to the beach specifically to sit outside. PROTIP: pups can join! COVID precautions were in full swing. You and given hand sanitizer before you're seated and a paper menu. When you're ready to order, one person from your party gives the order to the cashier and pays. They then bring your food out to the table. Introverts unite! The food was delicious as always. Their tarter sauce was just how I remembered, although I wish I ordered extra Really enjoyed their onion rings and their french fries were great! No complaints here! Only downside is there is no "ambiance" and the outdoor seating is on rocks which our pup didn't enjoy. But if the foods good, who cares, right? Definitely a CT shoreline staple and always a joy to visit! read more

Fish Tale - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut

Mother's Day lunch with my daughters !! I loved it and I would definitely go back. My salad was delicious with the broiled shrimp on top I loved it we also had the fried pickles and fried zucchini delicious. We bought sweatshirts and a long sleeved T. That are vibrant and comfy. read more

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I always hear people raving about this place. I found it to be adequate...not bad but not great. As others have said that due to "covid" they suspended ordering from the counter and now have only waitress service...I am unsure of how this helps covid. Also they still have a lot of plexiglass but it is dirty...IMO no plexiglass is better than dirty plexiglass. I had the clam strip roll. It was fine. Decent size and came with coleslaw for $11.95. The cup of soda was super small so if getting "To go" order, skip the soda. read more

Excellent food. First time visiting. Had the combo fish dinner and the two way combo. A little pricey but the norm these days. read more

Practically every trip to Hammonasset Beach ends with a trip to Lenny & Joe's Fishtails. My pictures are pre-covid-19 indoors (food) from my last visit and this visit where outdoor seating has been increased into their back lot. They have the parking lot coned off for one way traffic. The first segment asked if we had already ordered, wanted to be seated outside or were doing takeout. We decided to do takeout (eat in the car, it was beautiful out) and were given a menu and told to pull into a numbered space and call in our order. Interesting. Reminded me of being a kid going to the drive in and ordering. Called in our order; fisherman's platter, a whole belly clam roll and a chocolate shake to share. Paid by card, NO CASH! Fifteen minutes later, a young lady came out wearing a mask and put the bag on the pavement next to the car. No contact, but still odd to me to put a food bag on the ground. Food was good. The chocolate shake, meh! It literally was a vanilla shake with chocolate syrup that wasn't mixed thoroughly and was mostly at the bottom. Considering that I have not eaten out since the quarantine started, I was pleased. The seafood is high quality and you get a nice size portion to share. I'll be back next trip to the shore! read more

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We ran across this by accident on a recent trip to Connecticut. As we were headed east to do some shopping we made a mental note of how popular this spot seemed to be. An hour later we stopped in on our way back to Long Island. It took a few minutes adjusting to their system of ordering at the counter. Then the food came and made us true believers. Donna said that this was the best friend shrimp she'd had in her life. I could not come up with a counter memory. The scrod was likewise perfect. The sweet potato fries all disappeared within minutes. Washed down with a mocha milk shake. It was a perfect lunch and another pin for our map for future trips north. read more

First time here. Heard to be the place to go. Had the fish sandwich: first was greasy, as if oil was not quite hot enough. Evidence of the bun being greasy/ Lobster roll: nothing unique. Good amount of lobster, hotdog bun soaked in butter and lightly toasted. Good flavor overall. Onion rings: not sure what that was. Almost like the left over fried food from a frier. Clam chowder: this was.. wow. Horrible. Basically, it was the stock from cooking the clams, added diced potatoes, a few clams that fell out of it shell, then a touch of milk to make it slightly cloudy. I think there were some spices added? Service: awesome. Super friendly and welcoming. Ambiance: nice place and outdoor seating open and set up well. read more

Fish Tale - Clear clam chowder - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Connecticut