Clam Castle

1324 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT - (203) 245-4911

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Posted By Michael Stern on October 13, 2008 7:38 PM

This clam castle is in fact a clam shack, and we mean that in the nicest possible way. A breezy roadside eatery with a small dining room adjacent to the order windows and picnic tables set back from Route One, it has been a significant shoreline source of fried clams and clam chowder for decades.

The whole-belly fried clams are just right: plump, juicy and sweet with crust that is brittle but virtually melts on the tongue when you crunch into it. For those who like only a hint of clam flavor as part of the fried-food package, the Castle also offers clam strips. While not the bivalve connoisseur’s choice, these strips are in fact quite tasty … reminding us of the fried clams that originally helped make Howard Johnson’s famous.

There’s a full array of other fried seafood, as well as seafood salads for the fry-basket-frowner; but in our book the one non-fried thing to eat here is chowder. It’s a brisk, oceany brew typical of the southern New England shoreline, bright with clam flavor and ballasted by the starchy goodness of potatoes.

Service, of course, is eat-in-the-rough. Place your order and carry your own food to a chosen eating place. And please dispose of your plates and utensils when the meal is through.

Overall Rating

Onion Rings

fried clams

clam chowder

Lobster Roll

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Posted By Sam Porter on August 30, 2010 10:07 AM

Roadside fried seafood shacks can be dicey and, mostly, worthy of avoidance. Thusly, I have been successful in avoiding them, but the review for the Clam Castle drew me in since I was in the area visiting family and looking for something casual and good.

While I am not a connoisseur of fried food in general and less so of fried seafood, the Clam Castle’s food exceeded what I imagine the best fried seafood should be. We were 4 adults in total sampling the menu and everything was excellent. The food tasted fresh and was satisfyingly crispy without being too heavy. Some fried food comes off in oil that has been used too many times, leaving the food tasting icky, but maybe metallic is more accurate. And then, with seafood in general, time is everything where leaving the seafood on the heat too long leaves the meat tough and rubbery. All of the fried seafood we ate suffered from either mistake. There were plenty of the appropriate condiments: malted vinegar, tartar sauce, hot sauce etc. The service was very pleasant and helpful and, in ordering, the person taking orders at the counter was very patient with us indecisive fried seafood newbies. The décor and food presentation was as would be expected and I don’t know that you would want anything else as it appropriately sets the mood for what fresh fried seafood should be, casual.

We all agreed that we would definitely return again.

Overall Rating

fried clams

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