Clam Box or Woodman's?

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (mollydingle)

Fri, 04 May 2007 21:33:25 GMT

Not a big fan of Woodman's. Haven't been to the Clambox yet, but will this summer. We usually head to Brown's in NH.
I also have heard the Red Wing is very good.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Mew_Blackberri)

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:26:48 GMT

XP Clam Box rocks the boat. I can't wait to go back up north to visit relatives and old friends once more. I love the clam box, not for the clams but for the scallops. I never really liked clams but most other seafood is good for me. Where exactly is the Woodsman's place located?

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Ashphalt)

Thu, 18 May 2006 10:05:15 GMT

Dale, Katie (or anyone else). Bubbling Brook sounds interesting, sounds mostly like an ice-cream stand (which can sometimes mean good clams). Has anyone tried Red Wing on Route 1 near Gillette Stadium? Some people swear by them. Tried them once and thought they were pretty good (and we rarely eat fried shellfish West of the Orleans Rotary). Wonder if you can compare Red Wing clams to Bubbling Brook.

FYI - for atmosphere Red Wing is an old expanded diner with a happy barroom in the original diner section. Bar pies look and smell pretty good, too.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (renfrew)

Thu, 18 May 2006 09:40:14 GMT

In addition to Farnham's, another one to try is Essex Seafood. Often a sleeper contestant. Also on 133.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Thu, 18 May 2006 08:50:27 GMT

Thanks for the tip Dale! Sounds like a road trip in in order!Do they do baked haddock too?

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (dale8783)

Wed, 17 May 2006 19:57:51 GMT

Bubbling Brook in Westwood MA has the best whole fried clams. www.bubblingbrook.net.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Sat, 13 May 2006 09:49:03 GMT

Chow Jim! We couldn't agree more! Going to the Causeway tonight for dinner!Maybe I'll bring my camera and submit my first roadffod reveiw, now that word is out on this place!Never had a bad meal at "The Pub" either.We usually get pizza, burgers or grilled tips at "the Pub".

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Jimeats)

Fri, 12 May 2006 06:00:01 GMT

The Causeway Rest. is a must stop if in the Gloucester area. You get a lot of bang for your buck there. Not only is the seafood outstanding but the Italian fare is also worth the trip. Also never mentioned here is the Choate Bridge Pub in Ipswich I have never been dissapointed with their Fried Clams or anything else for that matter, good honest food at a fair price. Chow Jim

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Holly Moore)

Thu, 11 May 2006 23:15:53 GMT

Yup. Oops.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Michael Hoffman)

Thu, 11 May 2006 21:28:28 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Holly Moore

You owe it to yourself to try both. Then drive down to Johnny Ads in Old Sudburry CT which to my taste has the best fried clams below the Maine state line.

That's Old Saybrook.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (jvsmom)

Thu, 11 May 2006 19:48:56 GMT

Thanks, Katie. Where is the terrible review? I checked the review on this site and it's excellent. Has he reviewed it again since 2001? If that's so, it's a shame. Since we discovered both places a few years ago (thanks to roadfood.com) we've kind of made it a tradition to go to either Woodman's or Farnham's for Mother's Day, and the other one for Father's Day. I can't say I prefer one or the other, but my kids prefer Woodman's onion rings, I think because they are covered in more of a batter, whereas Farnham's seems to be more of a breading.

The only drawback I can think of to Farnham's is that the last time we were there, they didn't serve clam cakes. We were told that that was because they hadn't found a recipe they felt was good enough to add to their menu. That may have changed by now. But, the clam plates (any seafood plate, for that matter) are so big and filling that you really don't miss them. I just like to have a clam cake now and then for old time's sake.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Thu, 11 May 2006 07:05:37 GMT

JVSMom, Nope, Farnham's is still there. Mr Stern gave then a terrible review, but in all fairness, anyone can have a bad day. It is interesting you mention their clams are "different". I had a talk with the Clam Box cook regarding the Fried Clam recipe, claimed to be from there, which posted elsewhere in this site and he says it is definately not the Clam Box recipe and he thinks it's Farnham's. This recipe contains cinnamon, which would attribute to a "diffent" flavor. The recipe is buried in the Seafood/Fried Clam pages. Essex Seafood is good too. For other types of Seafood, try The Causeway on Rt 133 in Gloucester; great food, ample portions at good prices!

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (jvsmom)

Wed, 10 May 2006 18:03:38 GMT

What about Farnham's? They haven't gone out of business, have they? I always thought they could hold their own up against Woodman's. I don't think either place's clams were necessarily better or worse, just slightly different.

I do prefer the Clam Box, though. And after seeing these pictures, I am soooo going there this weekend.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (lleechef)

Wed, 10 May 2006 17:46:38 GMT

Oh my, those clams look lovely. I'd pick the Clam Box in Ipswich over Woodman's in Essex. Glad you all had a good tour. I have eaten at all the places listed. Sorry I couldn't make it.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Akavar)

Wed, 10 May 2006 07:45:49 GMT

I am not sure where this thread is heading, but FWIW, having been on the Saturday tour, I liked Clam Box more.

Akavar

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (peabodypride)

Wed, 10 May 2006 00:58:22 GMT

Sorry to see the passing of White Cap. I confirmed that it is gone for about 3 years. Go to Dube's in Salem or Kings RB in Salem, both very respectable.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (RC51Mike)

Tue, 09 May 2006 08:13:31 GMT

I agree with Holly (who I think stole my Pat's analogy from a different thread about Central Grocery ) When it comes to food, "best" is tough to pin down. Life it too short to not go to both. I happen to like the Clambox due to its programmatic architecture.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Tue, 09 May 2006 07:16:39 GMT

The White Cap closed three years ago. It is now an American-Italian restaurant which I wouldn't recommend

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (acornlover)

Tue, 09 May 2006 06:02:26 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by peabodypride

Neither, try White Cap restaurant on High St.

Home run.

Peabody, where is the White Cap?

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (peabodypride)

Tue, 09 May 2006 00:51:47 GMT

Neither, try White Cap restaurant on High St.

Home run.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Holly Moore)

Mon, 08 May 2006 22:08:18 GMT

Where is the rule that it has to be either/or? Especially road food and especially when the Clam Box and Woodman's are only a few miles away. And especial when, if nothing else, history is with Woodman's where legend has it, their legend at least, that Woodman's invented the fried clam. Just like Pat's in Philadelphia. There may be better cheesesteaks in the city, but you've got to try Pat's at least once because they are the first.

My first visit to Woodman's ten or fifteen years ag - the clams were fantastic. I think they're still very good though nowadays probably not as consistant as the Clam Box. And not as good a value.

You owe it to yourself to try both. Then drive down to Johnny Ads in Old Sudburry CT which to my taste has the best fried clams below the Maine state line.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (acornlover)

Mon, 08 May 2006 20:28:06 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Michael Stern

In my opinion -- and the opinion of just about everyone on the Roadfood Tour this weekend -- there are no clams better than those served at The Clam Box: elegant, crisp, ocean-sweet, addictive.

WOW What a great picture, I have not been to the Clam box in many years ...too crowded, but oh I may try it again!
Cheers
KB

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (BuddyRoadhouse)

Mon, 08 May 2006 11:49:07 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by dreamzpainter

Did I miss something?? A native of where? Here in NE Fl Woodsman is a BBQ chain.... and I Just realized the difference in spelling... slinking off quietly

Slink not dreamz, this is a fair question. Woodman's is also a well known grocery store chain in south central and southeast Wisconsin. It could have easily been encountered by the participants of the Cheesehead in Beer Town Tour last weekend. Of course fried clams are not really a specialty of that region, so perhaps we can slink together.

Buddy

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Michael Hoffman)

Sun, 07 May 2006 22:02:21 GMT

Michael, it is unfair of you to torture those of us who live in Ohio with a photo such as the one you posted of those amazingly beautiful fried clams.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Sun, 07 May 2006 21:27:11 GMT

Wow! I knew he was good! The tour's food at the Clam Box was cooked by Dale, who has been there for 30 years!They have a geat crew there!

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (owalston)

Sun, 07 May 2006 17:41:41 GMT

As a humble Brit (albeit with an American wife and American children) will I be offending the natives unduly if I say that I have found fried oysters and fried clams invariably have too much flour and fried stuff attached and not enough clam or oyster?

In theory these should be wonderful but, alas, they are all too often deep-fried chinks of something.

Please tell me (a) if I am wrong and (b) where I should go to correct this misapprehension.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (Michael Stern)

Sun, 07 May 2006 16:39:52 GMT

In my opinion -- and the opinion of just about everyone on the Roadfood Tour this weekend -- there are no clams better than those served at The Clam Box: elegant, crisp, ocean-sweet, addictive.

RE: Clam Box or Woodman's? (dreamzpainter)

Sun, 07 May 2006 16:29:37 GMT

Did I miss something?? A native of where? Here in NE Fl Woodsman is a BBQ chain.... and I Just realized the difference in spelling... slinking off quietly

Clam Box or Woodman's? (katieoaks)

Sun, 07 May 2006 14:43:48 GMT

As a local I am anxious to hear the reviews of the Roadtour diners... It is native debate as to who has the best fried clams!