The Clam Box, Woodman's or Farnham's - which one to choose?
We are planning to combine a visit to one of the North Shore famed clam shacks with an afternoon visit to Salem, MA. Our goal is to have seafood for lunch as we are from the Midwest and we hope to find some tasty, local, fresh seafood. We are not wedded to either of those 3, but are looking for a recommendation on a clam roll of excellent value and quality in proximity to Salem. Any thoughts, hounds? Thanks!
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My wife and I just got back from a visit to the Cape Ann area. We went in search of the "perfect" fried clam, like the ones we enjoyed during our honeymoon at Provincetown 45 years ago.
We ate at Farnham's, Woodman's and the Clam Box of Ipswich.
First, I suggest you take Woodman's off your list. Vastly overrated, very expensive, almost arrogant. The clams and the halibut were totally mediocre. Overpriced yet disappointing. We were struck by the thought that Woodman's is a place that has just not been able to keep up with its own hype.
Farnham's was O.K. on the clams, but not great. We found the clams and onion rings just overcome by the "batter", and the cole slaw was almost yucky. The location is great: outside on a nice sunny day is awesome.
No contest. The Clam Box was really very good, indeed. Great clams, excellent slaw, terrific scallops. The people who served us were terrific.
Believe me, not even close.-----
Clam Box of Ipswich
246 High St, Ipswich, MA 01938Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170Clam Box of Ipswich
206 High St, Ipswich, MA 01938 -
We are heading up to Cape Ann with some friends. Second time in Boston, but didn't get to try much last time - so really first dining trip. Anyway, we are looking for cheap but tasty food. My son and I are celiac, so it has to be gluten-free and my husband has a psychological allergy to seafood. The family we are going with also is so-so on seafood. But i kind of want to try fried clams, as they are a regional specialty and Woodman's and maybe Farnham's are actually gluten free.
Anyone know if Clam Box is gluten-free too?
Anyway, are the non-seafood options at these places worth eating or are they pretty bad? Is there anywhere nearby we could divide and conquer with take out for the non-seafood eating folks?
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re: jsaimd
Are you sure Woodman's is gluten-free? I think wheat flour is a pretty big ingredient in most fried seafood coatings but I could be wrong.
Non-seafood options at the Clam Box are hamburgers and hot dogs, IIRC. I've never tried them but I imagine they're about what you would expect.
The White Farms ice cream stand just up the road added a Sal's Pizzeria a year or two ago, so there's a non-seafood but probably not non-gluten option nearby. I dunno. Sounds like the whole trip is probably more trouble than it's worth.
EDIT: Apparently Woodman's has gluten-free clams. Who knew? I wouldn't assume that anything at the Clam Box is gluten-free since it doesn't say anything about it on their website.
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re: scratchie
We are going to be at a beach in Cape Ann area anyway. My friend asked me to find someplace to eat that was good, inexpensive, kid friendly and gluten-free friendly. BTW - I am from San Francisco, so I am completely clueless re: geography but trying to learn...
I think some fried seafood places use cornmeal, which is why they happen to be gluten-free.
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re: jsaimd
Science Chick
Jun 11, 2010 11:34 AM
Many places do a double coat (coat-wet-coat) and only use cornmeal for the final coat. The first coat is likely to be flour, and is frequently a commercial "fry coat" mix. Not sure if this is wheat based or not, but it's probably worth checking first.
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re: jsaimd
If Woodman's is really gluten-free, they're probably your best bet, but it will be pretty slim pickings for your hubby and the family you're going with. IMO you're probably better off finding a good restaurant in Gloucester or Rockport that will satisfy the non-seafood-lovers and provide, for example, a basket of steamed clams for you and your son.
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re: jsaimd
Given your specific needs and seafood alergies, I'd stay clear of all of these places. I don't think any are gluten-free and if hubby has seafood alergies why risk a potential bad experience. You may want to search North Shore CH threads for other options. Example; American BBQ in Rowley is pretty good.
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re: treb
Just to Clarify Woodman's menu is GIG certified, so it is GF - they have a disclaimer as all restaurants do, but it is truly gluten-free. they have a separate fryer so there is no cross-contamination. My husbands "allergy" is completely psychological. He refuses to try seafood - he isn't really allergic to it.
Anyway, bummer...I was hoping to get to try it, but it sounds like my boys and I would be forcing the rest of the group into less festive eats. I will search for other places. The problem is that I love seafood, our hosts like BBQ, but I really don't....and a lot of BBQ isn't gluten-free. Here we always default to Mexican or Indian which are outstanding, but hear they aren't as great there.
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The Clam Box is hands down..without a doubt….no question about it…..not even close the best fried clam. Their scallops, onion rings and cold slaw are also excellent. I always have to get French fries with fried seafood. Unfortunately theirs are the same crappy frozen French fry that everybody does. I have only tried a few of the other items on the menu and found them to be fair to poor. Chickie’s philosophy is very unique in the food business. It is the reason EVERY order of clams is always fabulous. The other places mentioned all have something to offer, but if you want the best fried clam, go to THE BOX!
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Diane is that Bexley as in the east side of Columbus suburb ? I would agree with the consensus that Clam Box is your best bet with Farnham's next and based on my experiences would not even suggest Woodman's
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Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170›5 Replies-
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re: Diane in Bexley
Just wondered. I grew up near the corner of Broad and Parkview. I remember the Ho Jo's The clams out here will be so much better than those old HoJo's clam strips. My brother is still in the area in New Albany, in one of the Wexler developments. Looks like I'll be back in the fall for my 40th High School reunion
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re: jeff Turton
justbeingpolite
May 12, 2010 12:16 PM
I've said before: the quality of the clams varies depending on the freshness of the lard/oil they're cooked in and the quality of the clams. You can get a great batch at Woodman's and a poor one at the Clam Box. But for overall consistency, The Clam Box is the favorite. Everywhere else, I've had an occasional bad batch. No love here for Essex Seafood? My number two for quality of clam, if not ambiance. I probably like it 'cause they still cook 'em in lard.
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Essex Seafood
143 Eastern Ave, Essex, MA 01929Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170 -
re: jeff Turton
Jeff, went to Eastmoor High school a little after you when Archie Griffin (later 2X Heisman trophy winner) was the big star. Grew up on Broadleigh. Now live about 4 blocks from where you grew up and 1/2 block south of Broad.
Those were good days - HoJo's, Johnson's ice cream, Rubino's pizza, Grill & Skillet, Emil's, Eastmoor Drive In, Bev-er-Lee drive in. Nostalgia aside, it's hard to find a decent breakfast near Bexley these days.
When you are closer to your trip, shoot me a note and I can give you some great restaurant recs (BTW, you should really plan a visit to The Top, still a terrific steak destination).
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tatsu
May 11, 2010 11:05 PM
I'll vote for Farnham's. It's remarkable how greaseless they come out, the fried whole clams.
Woodman's is good, the largest of the three, perhaps the most commercial in atmosphere as well, but it has nice marsh views like Farnham's as well.
Clam Box is very close to the small service road to Crane Beach, which is just gorgeous. They do a good job, and it's quaint. It plays up it's roadside appeal.
They are all pretty close in quality! It may come down to things like whose sides you like better, the wait, etc.
But I really think after trying all three, JT Farnham's does the best clams and I like the atmosphere the most as well.
There are a few other options as well, but I haven't tried them.
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Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170›5 Replies-
re: tatsu
ipsofatso
May 12, 2010 10:52 AM
The Clam Box in nowhere near, let alone "very close" to the "Service Road" to Crane Beach. That would be Argilla Rd and not a service road at all. It is 6 miles from Crane Beach to the Clam Box and about a 15 minute drive on a busy beach day. Just for the record.
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I'll say Farnham's first, Clam Box second, Woodman's third. But you're not going to be disappointed with any of them.
Also, if you're in Salem, Dube's is pretty darn spectacular as well. Get there early on friday for the fish chowder.
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re: Fly
SEH
May 11, 2010 10:36 AM
Of the 3 you mention, Farnham's is closest to Salem and Clam Box is the furthest (if that makes any difference). Farnham's also offers more menu variety (grilled fish -- a wonderful grilled haddock sandwich, lobster, etc.) than Clam Box and that's the reason I like it best since I don't like fried foods.
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Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170-
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re: SEH
When you say closest, is it minutes we're talking about here? From my Mapquest, it doesn't look like any of them are a huge distance (30-45 min?)
We were kids in the 60's and have a fondness for Howard Johnson's clam roll, which was fried clam in a split top H/D roll with tarter sauce. We were thinking one of the 3 would satisfy our craving? We are big time fressers, willing to travel for good food.
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Bob Dobalina
May 11, 2010 09:08 AM
While I have no reason to disagree with the general comments here, I think when you go - as in time of day and time of season - also can make a difference. I went last year on a chilly May day to Woodman's and it was awesome - some of the best fried seafood I have had. I have also been to Farnham's on a busy mid-summer afternoon and it was just terrible.
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re: Diane in Bexley
If it's a chilly or rainy day, check out the Village restaurant in Essex and eat inside. They do clams as well as anyone else in the area. Their fried whole bellies are really good. They have a clam roll on the menu, but I haven't had it.
You'll hear remarks about "blue-hairs" and how going there is like a step back in time. There's some truth to both, but the clams there have always been good when I've been. As an added bonus, they offer a lot more than a hot dog, grilled cheese, or chicken fingers if you have someone with you that doesn't eat seafood.
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ipsofatso
May 11, 2010 08:28 AM
Yup the Clam Box is Numero Uno...but Farnhams is pretty good too with better views and outdoor in-the-rough dining.
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re: ipsofatso
Yup, ipsofatso has it right. . . . but I usually go to Farnhams when it is comfortable to sit at one of the outside tables. The marsh views are great and the food is still good. Overall I prefer it as a whole experience. BTW, last fall Farnhams had cod cheeks and they were absolutely the best I have ever had!
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