CAPTAIN JACK'S, EASTHAMPTON, MASS
Finally made it here today. Got the fried clams. Just clams, no slaw or fries. They came out hot and plentiful for $13. Perfect size, plump bellies, firm, no gaggers. Very fresh. The clams were slightly crunchy on the outside, which I really found appealing. Not greasy. All in all, by far the best clams I have had in western Mass. These are the kind of fried clams I find at my favorite spots on the North Shore or The Cape. Very very impressed. Much better than the Williamsburg SB on Rt 9 (though I think Williamsburg does a pretty good job generally, particularly their fish sandwich)
Next visit I'll try the fried scallops. And I'll bring a beer as its BYOB
-
We finally made it to Captain Jack's. Alas, out of the lobster rolls posted on the sign.
We had scallops only which were disappointingly overcooked, good fish tacos, a great burger. good fries and greasy but good onion rings. I liked the fresh lemonade and real iced tea.
I did not like that at 5:00 there was not a lick of shade on a hot day. Is there usually a covering over the big set of picnic table son the side?The seafood was disappointing. I might return to try a lobster roll, if I am in the area.
That stretch of road os about to be very disrupted by roadwork, unfortunately.›6 Replies-
re: magiesmom
JunieB
May 13, 2012 05:47 PM
They usually have umbrellas, but the last time I noticed, they hadn't held up to the weather very well. My husband and I have really tried to like this place. We've gone more times than I would normally go to a place that didn't thrill me the first time or two. We've tried the fish, the burgers, the fries, the hot dogs, the onion rings, the clams, and some other specials that escape me and we haven't really liked it. We have friends who love it though, so different strokes I guess.
Yes, Route 10 is about to have a MAJOR interruption - for 6 months I hear! I'm not looking forward to to it, especially since our street in E'hampton will probably get a lot of the detour traffic. Ugh. They're also supposed to start replacing water lines or something on Union Street. I don't think it's going to be a good summer for E'hampton!
On a different note, I really miss Coco and I hope they will be back soon. Unmi is offering cooking classes.
And lastly, I read that the Apollo Grill guy is opening a more upscale place on Main St.. I have mixed feelings because I've never cared for Apollo Grill, except for lunch. We'll see. If it turns out to be good, all the better!
-
-
re: magiesmom
JunieB
May 14, 2012 07:15 AM
Yes, I was here. I took a pottery class in Eastworks and would occasionally stop in Apollo Grill for lunch, but we tried it for dinner 2 or 3 times and we were never very satisfied with the food.
Your son can go down route 10, across Loudville Road to 66 to Florence Road. Or he can go down Pleasant Street to O'Neil and then cross over to Florence Road. It won't really add much time to his commute, but he'll have to find out which way everyone else is going, and then go the other way! However you slice it, 6 months is going to be a very long time. I really feel for the businesses that are right by the bridge that they're replacing. I saw that the new boutique beer place which is located right there is thinking of moving. There should be some funds to help businesses like that.
-
-
-
-
andytee
Jun 5, 2011 10:27 AM
Looking forward to trying them. I'm glad to hear the clams are good, I was very excited to read about them opening and added their facebook page to my feed. I've been a bit concerned since then because none of their facebook posts are about seafood, daily specials are always burgers and dogs and that sort of thing. I was a bit worried they might not be working so hard on the seafood shack concept, which is what I'm interested in. Anyhow, thanks for the update, I'll have to make the trip and give them a try.
›10 Replies-
re: andytee
i think the deal is that the burger, etc. stuff changes on a daily or so basis. they always seem to have scallops, whole belly clams & fish & chips. just went there today (they're open sundays now) and everybody was very stoked by the quality of the seafood and the size of the portions. they all said "too much" but ate every bite. i don't do seafood, and i still love the place. worth noting -- they do lots of stuff not on the chalkboard menu. like. i always have a salad (which is a really nice seasonal mix) with sliced chicken breast. they do burgers on salads as well. and my daughter is addicted to the double cheddar cheese burgers, which also come & go as specials, yet are always orderable. the dogs are outstanding, too. charred on the grill, served on a toasted bun. i think i've hit this place almost every week since it opened. never drive away unsatisfied. and yeah, the byob suggestion is a good one.
-
re: fatheryod
andytee
Jun 17, 2011 03:23 PM
I finally made it in today. I had a belly clams plate (with fries and slaw), didn't see a clam only option, just plates or clam rolls. Portion was generous and everything was good. Not Ipswitch level good, but definitely good. Glad to have these guys as an option, and yeah, BYOB with fried clams and a picnic table seems like a great idea.
Anyone know if they ever do a lobster roll? They should! Williamsburg Snack Bar is the only spot I know of in the area to get a decent lobster roll, and I'd love other options.
-----
Williamsburg Snack Bar
93 Main St, Williamsburg, MA 01096-
-
re: Big Fat Moe
last time i checked they were not planning to get into the lobster roll biz. and, frankly, i have a hard time imagining anyone beating the williamsburg shack at that game. how they manage to pull of that packed roll at that price is a source of wonderment. i don't eat the things myself, but my wife works some days in leeds and always takes work pals by there when it's on the menu. they talk about the things for days!
but at jack's, i am just waiting for this damn diet to end so i can once more devour their dogs -- charred beautifully with grilled rolls. mmm.... for now i have to stick with the salad topped with chicken breast -- a decent option (indeed they'll do any of their entrees atop a salad -- but scant solace.-
re: fatheryod
andytee
Jun 19, 2011 09:07 PM
Re: the lobster roll thing, I think there is room for more than one lobster roll in town, no? And, I love W-burg Snack Bar but their roll would not be at all hard to beat, just use fresh lobster. The way the offer what they do at that price is by using frozen meat. It's still a good lobster roll, but not a great one. It's real selling point is getting a decent lobster roll at that price. Captain Jacks could do a fresh roll for $12-15 that would put the competition to shame.
-
re: andytee
andytee
Jun 30, 2011 06:26 PM
For what it's worth, Captain Jacks advertised a lobster roll special on it's Facebook page today - anybody make it by to try it? I think it was something like $12 with fries. Either they are reading this thread or reading my mind - either way, I'm glad.
-
-
-
-
-
-
good to know. I've yet to get there but you are very encouraging! but I bet their scallops aren't better than snack bar. I just had them today and they were heavenly.
›6 Replies-
-
-
re: magiesmom
Actually I went on Friday at noon and the scallops hadn't yet been delivered. That's when i went over to Captain Jacks's and got my clams. I'll try again. Incidentally, I went back to Captain Jack's this evening to try the scallops and they were really good. Big fresh sea scallops lightly fried so they were still juicy inside.
-
-
-
