Tough one Ipswich. Essex area

My wife wants the best Fried Belly Clams I want a roast beef sandwich with gravy. We are traveling up the 95 so I can stop for the roast beef before Essex, Ipswich or after on the way to Rockport. Thanks

I think that Woodman's has the best fried clams. As to roast beef, I believe that you may have to look elsewhere, as I don't think that Woodman's has that type of thing on the menu.

The Sundancer has experienced some of the best clams of my life at the "Clam Shack" The building is shaped like a clam box and I certainly enjoyed the experience. It has been several years since i have been there but I believe it is located around Ipswitch.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I believe that Paul means the "Clambox", which is I am sorry to say, closed for the winter. Woodman's is, I think, a year around operation. If you dig around on this site, you will find lots of information on both. It will be a little out of the way, but Kelly's, in Revere, also reviewed on this site, can serve both the roast beef and clams at the one stop. None of these places is my absolute favorite, but they all do an excellent job.

I am willing to stop off the 95 before or after my wife has clams in Ipswich for the roast beef.

Then I would recommend going to Kelly's for the roast beef, and maybe your wife can have a look around at the clams on people's plates and decide if she wants to go ahead and order them there. I personally like Kelly's clams just fine, especially since, as noted, the Clam Box (the ne plus ultra of the fried clam) is closed for the season.

Hi!

Get off 95N at rt 1A going towards Hamilton/Wenham. This will take you thru North Beverly and up thru 2? stoplights, on your right(you kind of have to look right-back in a small strip mall, if you go over the rr tracks you have gone too far) is Nick's Famous Roast Beef- the best North Shore roast beef with "sauce" no gravy around here! Onion rings too

Up a little ways on the right is "The Mariner" which has any fresh seafood she might like. Ispwich clams are readily available on the North Shore at most places. Then hop back on 95 to Rockport.

Now if you do decide to go to Essex instead,which is near the water and a pretty little town, it is a bit of a drive off 95, I like the Village clams better than Woodmans, but I do love Woodman's too!!

It is a nice time of year to visit Rockport, cold (-5 right now) but not crowded and so pretty

I always do both. I stop in North Beverly for Nick's Famous and then head up the road to Woodmans for the clams. You can never have too much food up there.

I would agree with acorn about The Village. I do like it better than Woodmans. There are three in the general area The Village, JT Farnhams & Woodmans...if you want clams you really can't go wrong with any of these three.
As for the Roast Beef.....Kelly's in Revere Beach will do you no wrong...skip the one on Route 1...its lacks the style & flavor of the original...Nicks in Beverly or any Bill & Bob's (aptly referred to by my friends as Swill & Slobs)....get the Super Beef w/ cheese & extra sauce + horseradish sauce as well if they have it.
Good Luck,
WMC