Though it doesn't look like Lena's takes the time to respond to its customers, I felt compelled to write this review after last night's experience. Businesses learn more from critical reviews than they ever do from praise. We've lived in Salisbury exactly ten years this coming Labor Day Weekend and have eaten at Lena's since moving here. Last night needed to be a quick dinner, so I ran up the street to put in a no frills order of two clam chowders and a half and half plate to split. There was one car in the parking lot, so I was happy to go inside and order at the counter vs. the drive in. I immediately put in my order and sat at a table to wait for the food. While I was waiting, there was a drive thru order or two, but no real increase in business. I heard the young girl behind the counter make a weak declaration that they were getting low on chowder to her aunt who looked to be on break, but there was no haste to replenish it. A couple came in, chatted up the other woman behind the counter for a good stretch, finally ordered their food, and sat. By the time my order came out (which had already seemed to take a long time for one fried plate), the remaining chowder wouldn't even fill one cup. The girl asked if I could wait 'like, 3 minutes' (random, but ok) for them to get fresh chowder, I nodded and sat with my bagged fish dish. And I waited........ The couple who ordered earlier got their meal and started eating. Finally the chowder was filled and I was given my two, with no acknowledgment of the time that I was waiting or apology for having done so. When I got in the car the clock showed that I sat for an entire half hour for the two chowders and plate. I headed home a mere mile down the road, knowing already what to expect upon arrival. As I feared, the hot fried fish plate, having sat so long bagged up as I waited for the chowder, had cooled, condensed, and turned into a lukewarm soggy mess....fries, onion rings, clam strips, scallops....all mush. To say we were disappointed was an understatement. As far as I know Lena's is a family run business and we'd experienced consistent, friendly service in the past, but this seemed entirely dismissive of its customers and will make me think twice upon revisiting. read more

Went a month ago as I forgot cash and could not go to Mackey's lobster pound and loved it! My husband remembered where it was from when he was a kid. The haddock was fresh and fried lobster tails to die for. I couldn't wait to go back--went back today, Sunday. My husband was not a fan of this restaurant going way back. I forced him as the first time my order was excellent. Today the Haddock sandwich was small and did not taste fresh. Husband had the haddock platter which was 1/2 the size of a month ago 3 little pieces it was not good and was $18.99. He left hungry. The girl looked at me strangely when I asked did they only have fried lobster tails on particular day. She said she thinks they discontinued them. The onion rings batter is like the ones in the frozen food section like in English fish and chips. The fries and chicken tenders were good. Will be going back to Mackey's Lobster Pound---I just have to remember cash. Their haddock is always fresh and $10 for a huge piece read more

Very good! Always fresh, good portions. Everything on the fisherman's platter is great! Onion rings too! Mmm

I really enjoyed the lobster roll with onion rings. Very reasonably priced. My meal came to $13.00 with a drink. I look forward to trying the fried lobster which is only served on certain days. read more

I visit Lena's about 3-4 times a year and always enjoy it. Their food is always fresh and prepared well. I especially like the fried fish sandwich! read more

Decent typical clam shack. You have to be in the mood for greasy food, but its location right off the highway is pretty darn convenient for those passing through. read more

I loved the atmosphere here. The chowder was a very simple, but tasty, Maine-style (or north shore style).

We had a penchant for some fried food recently and this being on a Sunday, we did not want to venture into the weekend beach traffic near Markey's and Brown's. We chose Lena's and were able to order quickly and find a seat. We ordered a fisherman's platter and a flounder/clam plate. One with fries and one with onion rings. It did take awhile for our number to be called as they had someone call in sick but that is not their fault. The food was excellent and everything was cooked perfectly. We even took some home and it still tasted great many hours later (try that with any chain's fried food). Friendly service, clean and right by the highway. Can't beat it and I would say better than the vaunted Markey's and Brown's. read more

Recently visited . I used to live close and found myself going at least twice a week. I live in Florida now and was looking forward to going back. I had haddock chowder and a lobster roll and it wasn't up to the old standards of years ago. The chowder was all tiny pieces of fish, mainly broth and potatoes. The lobster roll was very much mayonnaise and the lobster was ok but nothing special. read more

Lena's has been MUCH better than it is tonight. Clam Chowder is watered down and not creamy like normal. The clams are not up to Snuff and it's not loaded with clams nor potatoes as it normally is. I've been coming here for years and tonight is the first time I'm very disappointed. More expensive than normal as well. read more

Moving up to this area (Amesbury, MA) from CT I was hoping they would have some great seafood/burger/hot dog places like I was used to back home (Glenwood in Hamden, CT or Nicks Char Pit, CT in North Haven). Lenas is pretty close, and darn good. Their fried seafood is all very good, Ive had the scallops, clam strips, shrimp , burgers and lobster roll all were delicious. My only gripe is as usual with all hot dogs here in Mass, the hot dogs they serve up here are no where near as good as getting a nice Hummel dog back home with a side of fried scallops, so I avoid the hot dogs there..but for great fried seafood i would recommend Lena's. read more

I went in close to closing time tonight and got excellent service from a girl named Debbie Souther. My box of fried clams was excellent ! My only regret is that I live in San Diego and no one out there sells fried clams. :-( read more

The food is not bad i wish they would be closer on their wait times, 20 minutes is not 45, also, the last several years they have raised their prices yearly, it's become expensive for what you get. read more

As a local, I enjoy coming here because, although it looks like a tourist trap, the food is good and reasonably priced. My husband always gets the baby shrimp half plate. Sometimes I get scallops, sometimes haddock. All are very tasty. The batter they cook the seafood in is delicious and not too greasy. You can ask for onion rings cooked in the same batter - I highly recommend them. Shakes are also great. read more

I have visited Lena's when it was is Salisbury center...then it was the place to go for onion rings and the biggest and best clams....Now I'm sorry.. it was utterly bad...I arrived going by brown's and Markey's (which are outstanding but packed). Lena's parking lot was surprisingly empty. I went to order clams and was told they increased the price listed to $2.00. The onions rings were oily (not cooked enough). The clams..THE CLAMS were insultingly small with thick batter and tasteless. They were like little hard things and were fatty and chewy. We complained and instead of giving our money back they gave us other kind of food ( which was also insultingly bad chowder. It's rated D - In my opinion. I live in western MA and get better here. Please AVOID read more

For the money their fish sandwich is great. Very affordable and plenty to eat. You get fries with it and for no additional cost you can get onion rings. I recommend the thin rings. read more

Amazing! 10 of us enjoyed fried clams, fried fish, and even a kids hotdog. It was delicious local restaurant. it was started by the owners grandmother and the onion rings that she started making years ago are delicious. read more

Lena's is great, our second favorite seafood stand, just behind Markey's. Lena's chowder is a favorite, we like the fish chowder even better than the clam chowder. Love their lobster rolls and the fried seafood is always tasty and never tough. The decor is kitschy and fun, it adds to the experience. read more

I had a craving for clam chowder. I went to Lena's. Took a bite and my teeth felt gritty. When I dumped out the cup, it was coated with sand at the bottom. Yuck. read more

We live nearby and this is our "go-to." Never disappointed. Hot, creamy chowder, fresh fresh seafood, excellent lobster rolls and slaw, delicious onion rings! In fact, we prefer the rings! They do anything fried here really well. Also, other selections are very fresh and hot and tasty. Good, consistent bet! read more

Have to fix there hours they are CLOSED on Monday and Tuesday's what a bummer drove here trusting YELP ugggh Oh well will have to try again when I return to the area read more

Lena's is the perfect fried seafood shack you are looking for. The fried lobster is amazing! The seafood platter with shrimp, haddock, scallops and clams is also a must try, it is a huge heaping and well balanced serving of each item. The lobster roll is also delicious, but nothing special and after sampling the seafood platter and fried lobster a "good" lobster roll was just "good." read more

Lena's Seafood - Seafood Near Me - Salisbury, Massachusetts

This is the absolute best for REAL seafood! It originally started by Lena and her husband at Salisbury Beach, MA. in 1958, and then moved to its current location at 131 Rabbit Rd. in a convenient and easy to get to place. It not only offers great seafood, it also has gas powered motorized go-carts, as well as miniature golf. Something for the entire family. If you're lucky, you may get to see the real live Capt. Hook sailing around. All of the workers are pleasant and easy going. And, if you like to top off your meal with a tasty desert, they have the best ice cream on the east coast. read more

Very clean tasting seafood. The oil must be changed frequently to have such a clean crisp taste. The seafood platter was excellent. Just enough for two to share. Ready in minutes. Good size portion. They should think about staying open later. Mid July and a Saturday night and the close st 9 pm?????? read more

Bowl of sand. Had a craving for NE Clam Chowder so grabbed takeout from Lena's. You can get CC from countless places in NE. I've had some that's been great, most that's been at least good, and some thats been meh, but before Lena's I'd never had any that was inedible. More greasy than creamy, but much worse... the clams were full of sand/grit. I understand that from steamers or oysters, but in chowder?!? After dumping the remainder down the sink I looked at the bottom of the container, it was literally covered with black grit. Disgusting. read more

** Best fish chowda ! ** Best cole slaw ! ** Best fried seafood in New England ! Casual atmosphere and great food. If you havent' been yet, you have to try it. read more

HUGE fried clams and cooked perfectly

Great place.I wish it was open more days a week and more months of the year.Ice cream at hodgie's too across the street is good too.Mini golf within walking distance to batting cages,here and ice cream.Pretty sure I paid with a credit card the last time I went here,they used to be cash only.Air conditioned inside or sit outside.They have a cool drive up window to pick up orders called in.Lots of parking. read more

Lena's is a stand-alone place in my opinion. They have the best batter-dipped onion rings you can find in New England! Their fish chowder is sooo creamy and delicious, I've been getting it since childhood. I've never been disappointed with Lena's! The decor is a little cheesy, but I like it. As stated in other reviews your order gets put on a clothing line and gets sent back to the kitchen! Cool to see. You choose your own table, get your own condiments, etc. They don't serve you here, they call your number and you go up to get the food. As for wait times- Most likely you're gonna have to wait longer than you'd expect. The food is fresh and delicious though, well worth the wait! It's too bad they're only open in the summer, I'd love a trip to Lena's on a snowy night for some warm chowder! Prices vary- but I usually find it's very reasonable, especially for the portion size. read more

Could I give negative stars? Always enjoyed this place until recently went and experienced food poisoning. When finally recovered enough to make a phone call I called to alert them to what had happened. I also inquired about a refund seeing due to the food poisoning effects of the meal. The owner, Regina was very rude, did not believe me and basically refused to acknowledge this happened. I was taken aback by this as I have been a long standing customer and wished them no ill will; I would have thought they would want to be aware of the situation and make it right-I was wrong. I will tell family and friends of this experience and urge them to cautiously consider the after effects of my experience before dining there. In short I do not recommend eating at this establishment. read more

Lena's is a good solid experience. The food is good and the portions are generous. The one thing that strikes me about Lena's is how well cared for and clean the restaurant is. The result of that is that the 1950s/1960s like decor looks well maintained instead of tired and out-dated. They keep the restaurant immaculate. The fried clams are good but aren't quite on par with some of the fried clam places that you might find in Ipswich & Essex, but they're still good. The fried lobster is delicious and their fried shrimp is excellent! I like Lena's! read more

Waited 30 minutes in uncrowded restaurant paid $15.00 Inc tax for small box fried clams at Lena's...worst ever...6 large cohogs..greasy no batter. I had to spit out the unchewable necks...mouthfuls of gooshy stomach. So disappointed as this used to be favorite for last 40 years or so. read more

Only fried seafood here. Seafood is good I had fried smelt, scallops, cod, onion rings and fries. All was tasty as with most places we visited even grocery stores food is pricey. Great hard ice cream and med size portion was just right. Would have been five star, but the fried clams were a bit sandy on a few clams and not just a little, but two had a good amount of sand in them for the prices they should be cleaned out. Overall not a deal breaker We will visit again if passing through this way. The plus side the seafood was not over fried or undercooked it was just right. The place was clean and clean bathrooms. The staff was very nice and friendly that alone is hard to come by. read more

I second that motion on Lena's. The only place I've ever been able to try fried lobster. It's really good. Usually come here for either lobster roll or fried scallops. Damn good seafood and priced better than any place in Ipswich or Essex (places known for friend clams). read more

It's such a waste to fry seafood. But this place you've gotta give it a try. It's greasy GOOD. It's sooo bad for you GOOD!

First time trying Lena's last night. We got the fish and chips to go. Absolutely excellent. Will definitely go back again and try other things. read more

The cold lobster roll was good. Onion rings phenom. Run of the mill overall. Clam strips appeared as if they were from a frozen bag, not flavorful. But clearly a well established landmark, and definitely worth trying out. read more

Great onion rings! Had fried clams - they were great size, well cooked and the sauce was good too. Free refills....can't beat that with kids. Hot dog was good as was the lobster roll. Will definitely be going back! read more

I've been going here for years and really love the fried clams and fish sandwich. everything tastes fresh and I love the atmosphere.

Absolutely amazing seafood. The clash and other chowders are perfect. The drive through is extremely convenient for a quick bite to eat with a car full of kids. read more