Whole belly clams

What's the difference between this and a what? - partial belly clam?   What would you expect to pay for an entree size plate?  I just found out about a lobster shack in Redwood City, of all places but the prices look awfully high:
 
http://www.oplobster.com/

rainyday6


What's the difference between this and a what? - partial belly clam?   What would you expect to pay for an entree size plate?  I just found out about a lobster shack in Redwood City, of all places but the prices look awfully high:
 
http://www.oplobster.com/

A so-called fried whole-belly clam is a whole clam (minus the shell). The other is the so-called clam strip, which is the tougher bit of muscle with the good part removed. As to the prices for the steamers and the fried clams, I guess, considering that they're shipped in from New England, that they would cost quite a bit more than in New England. Along the Connecticut shore I would expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $18 for fried clams, depending on the market price.

Michael's description is spot on. You can get Clam Strips almost anywhere...Even Long John Silver's has them. But whole-belly's are pretty scarce outside of the New England Coastal area. They are unique in taste and texture. That is one of the few foods from that area that I truely miss. I am amazed at how the prices for the Whole-Bellies have shot upward over the recent years.

For me a great combination plate at a seafood stand (McIntyres in Rowley,MA comes to mind--R I P ) would be Whole Bellies (about a dozen to 15, half a dozen large Sea Scallops and a mess of Onion Rings...with Slaw on the side and a bottle of Moxie ! Skip the FF and add a Flounder Filet (Extra-Crispy, Please). 

Golly gee, Al. I don't know how you can suggest that prices for clams have shot up. Why, it seems like just yesterday that I paid as much as 75-cents for an order of fried clams along the Connecticut shore. Of course, that's what I paid for lobster rolls, too.

 
That's true, by the way.

mayor al


Michael's description is spot on. You can get Clam Strips almost anywhere...Even Long John Silver's has them. But whole-belly's are pretty scarce outside of the New England Coastal area. They are unique in taste and texture. That is one of the few foods from that area that I truely miss. I am amazed at how the prices for the Whole-Bellies have shot upward over the recent years.

For me a great combination plate at a seafood stand (McIntyres in Rowley,MA comes to mind--R I P ) would be Whole Bellies (about a dozen to 15, half a dozen large Sea Scallops and a mess of Onion Rings...with Slaw on the side and a bottle of Moxie ! Skip the FF and add a Flounder Filet (Extra-Crispy, Please). 

Mr. Mayor....I would eat lunch with you anytime! Make that two of the same, waiter!

give me a pound of deep fried whole bellys with a little bit of cole slaw,no fries, from Johnny Ads in Old Saybrook,CT
I'd get an ice cold Bud out of my cooler, sit at one of the picnic tables  outside.    oooohhh yyeeaahh.
in July of course.

sk bob


give me a pound of deep fried whole bellys with a little bit of cole slaw,no fries, from Johnny Ads in Old Saybrook,CT
I'd get an ice cold Bud out of my cooler, sit at one of the picnic tables  outside.    oooohhh yyeeaahh.
in July of course.

I went up to Connecticut this summer to stop in at some of the hot dog places mentioned in the 500 Roadfood book, but the highlight of the short trip was stopping at Johnny Ads. I love fried clams and during a trip to Maine I had fried clams at least twice a day. When everyone else was eating lobster and lobster rolls I was getting platters of fried clams. The ones at Johnny Ads were just great with really good crust and very juicy. Eating outside at the picnic tables was really relaxing as well. This year I'm going back up to Connecticut for a long weekend and try to get in some of the pizza places but Johnny Ads is going to be a no cut stop on the list I'll be drawing up. 

sounds like a great place! will have to check it out...also wonder why there are no steamers on west coast?

*sigh*  I'm either going to completely avoid this place, or resign myself to going on a day when I have a bit of disposable income to burn up.  Probably the latter and probably more than one visit on my next trip down there.  Definitely going to have the clams and the lobster rolls (only $35. for two 5" lol ouch).  They have ones with mayo and green onions and ones with plain lobster and butter to dip it in.  I want to try both.  And onion rings.  And bisque. *headed to freezer to get Trader Joes cioppino*

Maybe I should just move back east.  We used to spend the summers in Rockport, MA but I was too young to appreciate lobster.  My parents would have them almost every night while my brother and I had macaroni and cheese.   

Now they put up a daily price menu with more stuff - for california guy, steamers (soft-shell clams? I can't imagine) for $16. and other stuff I've never heard of - Countneck clams, Permaquid oysters??  Oh, man I can't wait til next month!!

californyguy


sounds like a great place! will have to check it out...also wonder why there are no steamers on west coast?

 
 
But there are, many of them. Eastern softshells are prevalent in the bays along the Oregon coast and you can take 36 in addition to other clams you you get.