Woodman's of Essex - Essex, MA

Posted by Joel Barmann on January 29, 2004

For those who love good fried clams, Woodman's is the real deal. In terms of ambiance, it is surely lacking. However, the true afficianado of the fried clam can look beyond this, due to the great quality of the food.

The clams are exceptionally fresh, the portions are quite ample, and the taste is outstanding. The portion of french fries was ample also, and although they were not the best that I have had, they were definitely good.

Woodman's was recommended to me by a merchant in Rockport, which is several miles away. I had asked for the best place in the area for fried clams, and the proprietress told me that Woodman's was clearly the best in the Cape Ann region. As Cape Ann is noted for the quality of its clams, that is high praise, indeed. Woodman's lived up to her recommendation and to my expectations. Strongly recommended!

Overall: Worth planning a day around

8 out of 14 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

Reviewers "Must Eats" List

"Woodman's fried clams are among the best anywhere."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Woodman's is as much a lobster house as a clam shack. There's a steamer going behind the iced lobsters."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Place your order at one counter, and pick your order up at another. Part of the fun of Woodman's is the action and hustle-bustle - it can look very confusing, but somehow it all works."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Woodman's claims to be the birthplace of the fried clam."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"According to Woodman's history of the world, the fried clam was invented over an Independence Day weekend. On Cape Ann, it truly is a patriotic food."
Michael Stern

"This large clam shell sign outside Woodman's is a reminder that the fried clam was invented here on July 3, 1916 … or so the story goes."
Michael Stern

"At Woodman's order window, you decide what size clam box you want filled; a sign also informs you how the whole-belly clams are running."
Michael Stern

"A pair of clam platters, featuring whole-belly clams, o-rings, and French fries"
Michael Stern

"As evening falls, customers gather around the front of Woodman's to admire the big, cooked lobsters on display."
Michael Stern

"Clams are Woodman's claim to fame, but the lobsters are mighty pretty, too."
Michael Stern

"Woodman's no-frills dining room"
Michael Stern

"Clam cakes, aka clam fritters have a red-gold crust that is wicked-good. The interior is dense and moist and laced with enough pieces of clam to give every bite a sweet-savory harmony. "
Michael Stern

"When the Roadfood New England Tour arrived, we got the upstairs raw bar dining room all to ourselves. But most of the time, at lunch or dinner hour, seats both inside Woodman's and outside under the tent are scarce indeed."
Michael Stern