Best Fried Calamari?

[guttergourmet]

I already know the answer:buy 5 lbs at Citarella's and take them to my Cuban mother-in-law. But after that I'm stumped. Believe it or not, the best I've had has been at City Crab (though everything else is mediocre there). Ed's Lobster bar was OK. Fish on Bleecker are inconsistent. Umberto's was awful. Sakae Sushi's tempura ika weren't bad. Pylos Greek calamari were pretty good as were the Spanish version at El Charro. Give me a hand (or a tentacle) here Hounds.

[amysal47]

The fried calamari at the Water Club is to die for!!!

[misnatalie]

Randazzo's Clam Bar in Brooklyn. They have amazing sauce as well. Red and white checker table cloths really add to the old school charm. This place worth the trip.

[guttergourmet]

Are they affiliated with the Seafood Market of the same name on Arthur Avenue in da Bronx?

[MMRuth]

I believe they (dey?) are.

[kcijones001]

China Grill makes a fried calamari salad that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

[Simon]

hi gg,

the geso karage at Natori are very tasty (on the specials of the day menu when they have them)...and the salt-baked squid at Noodletown usually satisfies my fried calamari craving...

[venezuelan]

My favorite is probably the one served at Me Kong vietnamese restaurant on King and 6th avenue.
You can almost feel your arteries hardening as you eat it, but it's delicious!

[Emma01]

The ones in L'il Frankies are great. Huge portion and the dipping sauce, whilst just a marinara, is pretty good.

[liveloveat34]

i liked them at lure fishbar and wild edibles.

[kobetobiko]

The one at Del Posto is excellent. It is part of the enoteca menu.

[Lucia]

Oh yes--forgot about those.

[JohnnyMTL]

I really enjoyed the ones from Union Square Cafe. They come with an Anchovy Mayo that's also very tasty.

[offthebeatenpath1]

Agree with union square cafe. They use graham cracker crumbs as part of the batter. Excellent.

[chowmac]

Agreed - went there for the first time on saturday - very good calamari

[bigmackdaddy]

Actually, I had great fried calamari for lunch at Bar Tano in Brooklyn on 11th Street and 6th Ave. I hear (I haven't tried it) Rocco's has some of the best as well. They're on 65th St. & 18th Ave.

[mrnyc]

how random -- i can ditto BAR TANO's -- ive been in there quite a bit.

i like getting a container of beer & some calamari at jeremy's ale house downtown at the seaport.

[bigmackdaddy]

I made a mistake. I mean Bar Toto. I've been to Tano as well and don't like it as much as Toto. Toto's the one with the great calamari.

[mrnyc]

i was going to say, i like TANO'S pizzas, but never had the calamari.

come to think of it, isnt TANO a spinoff of TOTO? i think they are related.

[bigmackdaddy]

Yeah they're both owned by the same people. But like I said you can taste the difference. I happen to think Toto is better overall. Pacificana has geat fried squid as well. Albeit it's not red sauce style.

[G3B]

I love the ones at Square Meal. They are light and delicious.

[MMRuth]

Not surprisingly - me too. Batter is very light, and the calamari tender. Lovely sipping sauce and refreshing salad underneath.