REVIEW

The best fried clams in America can be found in the Ipswich-Essex area of Massachusetts, but it’s not the only place to find good fried clams. The hand-breaded whole-bellied clams fried up by Lobster Claw, while not quite at Ipswich level, can more than hold their own against most challengers. These clams are not as gushy and sea-briny as those at The Clam Box, but they are far superior to the fried clam strips found in most parts of the country. Lobster Claw’s clams are probably a good entry point for novices who approach the consumption of the entire clam with some trepidation.

Whole belly clams are fried to a good crunch at the Lobster Claw.

They are frying experts at Lobster Claw; the freshly made onion rings are superlative, a crisp heap, a little bit oily, asking only for a sprinkle of salt. Chowders are dense with seafood, cozy and warming. They even make their own tartar sauce, and this stuff is delicious and unique, tasting more of onion than pickle.

The lobster roll is generously filled, but we found it to be pretty ordinary in flavor. The coleslaw, however, is excellent.

The Lobster Claw is a seafood retailer too, and as you wait in line to place your order you can press you nose up against the refrigerator cases to see what looks good. Not everything offered is fried; they’ll set you up with some fresh haddock or salmon if you’d prefer, or some stuffed clams or crab cakes.

Place your order at the front counter, then find yourself a table in the large room.

We wouldn’t recommend a special trip to North Reading to visit the Lobster Claw (Ipswich is about 20 miles northeast if you are looking for special trips), but if you find yourself in the northern suburbs of Boston, with a craving for fried clams and onion rings, the Lobster Claw will fill the bill very nicely.

As you enter the Lobster Claw…

In case there’s any doubt about where you are, there’s a big red lobster on the roof. Despite the name and lobster imagery all over the building, it’s not for the lobster that we recommend the Lobster Claw.

LAF TRAK: 

FOOD: 

BEST THING TO EAT: Onion rings

The Lobster Claw closes up pretty early. Make it an early dinner, or try lunchtime.