Official Website of UCLA, United Clam Lovers of America
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| Seafood Shippers & Restaurants recommendations, and a few warnings |
Thanks to overnight shipping and insulated packaging, you can enjoy authentic New England
seafood even if you live in Miami, Minneapolis or Monterey.
Diggers Choice (Southeast Seafood), is based in Wareham, Mass. ( a few miles from Cape
Cod). If you operate a restaurant or are extremely hungry, they'll ship 50-pound bushels of live
clams and one-gallon pails of just-shucked clams for frying. Fortunately, they're also happy to
ship smaller quantities of clams for individual eating, plus lobsters, shrimp, mussels, scallops,
chowder, and other delicacies. Your UPS driver can even deliver complete Diggers Choice
clambakes, seafood combo dinners, seafood cookware, and a do-it-yourself fried clam kit --
complete with clams, batter and a batter dipping basket. They've earned our FIVE STARFISH
rating.
The company buys seafood from fishermen on the piers in Cape Cod, Boston and New
Bedford; and from local diggers who deliver clams they dug up on local beaches just hours
before. Because they buy direct from the source, their prices are reasonable and their food is
fresh. They ship lots of seafood the same day it's caught or harvested, and their clam bellies
can be in your belly tomorrow. Visit Diggers Choice online, or call 1 866 909-2526 (6am to
5pm eastern). CLICK for our test of the Diggers Choice do-it-yourself fried clam kit.
seafood even if you live in Miami, Minneapolis or Monterey.
Diggers Choice (Southeast Seafood), is based in Wareham, Mass. ( a few miles from Cape
Cod). If you operate a restaurant or are extremely hungry, they'll ship 50-pound bushels of live
clams and one-gallon pails of just-shucked clams for frying. Fortunately, they're also happy to
ship smaller quantities of clams for individual eating, plus lobsters, shrimp, mussels, scallops,
chowder, and other delicacies. Your UPS driver can even deliver complete Diggers Choice
clambakes, seafood combo dinners, seafood cookware, and a do-it-yourself fried clam kit --
complete with clams, batter and a batter dipping basket. They've earned our FIVE STARFISH
rating.
The company buys seafood from fishermen on the piers in Cape Cod, Boston and New
Bedford; and from local diggers who deliver clams they dug up on local beaches just hours
before. Because they buy direct from the source, their prices are reasonable and their food is
fresh. They ship lots of seafood the same day it's caught or harvested, and their clam bellies
can be in your belly tomorrow. Visit Diggers Choice online, or call 1 866 909-2526 (6am to
5pm eastern). CLICK for our test of the Diggers Choice do-it-yourself fried clam kit.
Great stuffed clams from your own oven.
My favorite stuffed clams have been the stuffed Quahogs
served at several restaurants on Cape Cod. Most stuffies
served elsewhere, and the ones found in most supermarket
freezers, are mostly bread crumbs, with barely a whiff of clam.
I just discovered a really good source of heat-at-home stuffed
clams. All Fresh Seafood has operated a wholesale fresh
seafood business in the New York/New Jersey area for nearly
20 years, and is a major supplier of shellfish and finfish to
restaurants and clubs.
All Fresh's fresh, hand-made baked stuffed clams start with
chopped Long Island clams, and then get a dose of clam juice,
garlic, parsley, onions and butter, and a light dusting of bread
crumbs.
There are definitely more clams than bread crumbs. The
baked clams were absolutely delicious, and I recommend them
highly. There's no reason to get any other kind, unless you
prefer bread to clams.
Heating in a 350-degree oven took about 10 minutes. Eating
was much faster than heating.
My samples were packaged loosely in a tub container, and
most of the filling came out during shipment. It only took a
minute to re-load the clam shells. It wasn't a big deal, and now I
can legitimately claim that I stuffed the clams myself.
I also got to try some fresh littlenecks, that I quickly steamed in
the microwave. They were juicy, fresh, and absolutely perfect.
All Fresh Seafood has earned our FIVE STARFISH rating.
The company says, "We continuously search the world for
funky, hard to find seafood items. We quickly earned a
reputation with the area's highest rated chefs and
restaurateurs as the seafood company that could not and did
not say 'no.' If it swims we find it!"
All Fresh has been on the web since 1998, to allow people
across the country to buy fresh seafood online with the same
commitments to service, product, price and selection that was
available to local commercial customers. Their website includes
a School of Fish section where you can learn how to select
and prepare fish and seafood. There are tips and insights on:
Including fish as part of a healthy diet, Selecting and
purchasing high quality fish, Storing and handling fish, Cooking
and preparing fish, Serving suggestions
My favorite stuffed clams have been the stuffed Quahogs
served at several restaurants on Cape Cod. Most stuffies
served elsewhere, and the ones found in most supermarket
freezers, are mostly bread crumbs, with barely a whiff of clam.
I just discovered a really good source of heat-at-home stuffed
clams. All Fresh Seafood has operated a wholesale fresh
seafood business in the New York/New Jersey area for nearly
20 years, and is a major supplier of shellfish and finfish to
restaurants and clubs.
All Fresh's fresh, hand-made baked stuffed clams start with
chopped Long Island clams, and then get a dose of clam juice,
garlic, parsley, onions and butter, and a light dusting of bread
crumbs.
There are definitely more clams than bread crumbs. The
baked clams were absolutely delicious, and I recommend them
highly. There's no reason to get any other kind, unless you
prefer bread to clams.
Heating in a 350-degree oven took about 10 minutes. Eating
was much faster than heating.
My samples were packaged loosely in a tub container, and
most of the filling came out during shipment. It only took a
minute to re-load the clam shells. It wasn't a big deal, and now I
can legitimately claim that I stuffed the clams myself.
I also got to try some fresh littlenecks, that I quickly steamed in
the microwave. They were juicy, fresh, and absolutely perfect.
All Fresh Seafood has earned our FIVE STARFISH rating.
The company says, "We continuously search the world for
funky, hard to find seafood items. We quickly earned a
reputation with the area's highest rated chefs and
restaurateurs as the seafood company that could not and did
not say 'no.' If it swims we find it!"
All Fresh has been on the web since 1998, to allow people
across the country to buy fresh seafood online with the same
commitments to service, product, price and selection that was
available to local commercial customers. Their website includes
a School of Fish section where you can learn how to select
and prepare fish and seafood. There are tips and insights on:
Including fish as part of a healthy diet, Selecting and
purchasing high quality fish, Storing and handling fish, Cooking
and preparing fish, Serving suggestions
| CLICK for All Fresh's stuffed clams and raw clams, and clam knives, and oyster knives, and shrimp, and lobster, and fish, and salads, and caviar and sauces, and crusts, and and and...well, you get the idea. You can also call 1 866 WOW SEAFOOD ( 1 866 969-7323) |
Brand names on raw clams?
While it's common to see familiar grocery names on cans of
chopped and minced clams, we were surprised to discover Cedar
Key branded live clams at Costco seafood "road shows."
Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms is the largest clam farmer in Florida,
and they've earned our coveted UCLA FIVE STARFISH rating for
their delicious littlenecks.
The shells were a bit more reddish than the clams we're used to up
here in New England (Florida sun tan, maybe?), and they definitely
had less sand.
Cedar Key supplies Costcos east of the Mississippi, as well as
Kash-n-Karry supermarkets in Florida and selected Winn-Dixies
throughout the southeast.
If your local store doesn't carry Cedar Key clams, nag the seafood
manager. Costco announces their road shows a few weeks in
advance, so plan to be there on the first day, before they sell out.
Yours truly, the alleged clam expert, foolishly bought a big bag of
clams and stuck them in the fridge a couple of days before going
on a clam tasting trip to Cape Cod. When I got back, I assumed I'd
find a stinking bag of expensive refrigerated garbage, accompanied
by appropriate verbal abuse from my wife; but the clams smelled
fine.
I rinsed them off, dumped them in a pot with about a half inch of
water, heated them for a few minutes until the shells opened, and
had some of the best-tasting steamed clams ever (plus clam juice
to use later in clam sauce).
According to the tag, these clams were harvested on 3/21/05; but
they were not eaten until 4/3. They were obviously great quality to
begin with, and we must compliment both Cedar Key and Costco for
their high standards in processing, shipping and storage. Yum!
While it's common to see familiar grocery names on cans of
chopped and minced clams, we were surprised to discover Cedar
Key branded live clams at Costco seafood "road shows."
Cedar Key Aquaculture Farms is the largest clam farmer in Florida,
and they've earned our coveted UCLA FIVE STARFISH rating for
their delicious littlenecks.
The shells were a bit more reddish than the clams we're used to up
here in New England (Florida sun tan, maybe?), and they definitely
had less sand.
Cedar Key supplies Costcos east of the Mississippi, as well as
Kash-n-Karry supermarkets in Florida and selected Winn-Dixies
throughout the southeast.
If your local store doesn't carry Cedar Key clams, nag the seafood
manager. Costco announces their road shows a few weeks in
advance, so plan to be there on the first day, before they sell out.
Yours truly, the alleged clam expert, foolishly bought a big bag of
clams and stuck them in the fridge a couple of days before going
on a clam tasting trip to Cape Cod. When I got back, I assumed I'd
find a stinking bag of expensive refrigerated garbage, accompanied
by appropriate verbal abuse from my wife; but the clams smelled
fine.
I rinsed them off, dumped them in a pot with about a half inch of
water, heated them for a few minutes until the shells opened, and
had some of the best-tasting steamed clams ever (plus clam juice
to use later in clam sauce).
According to the tag, these clams were harvested on 3/21/05; but
they were not eaten until 4/3. They were obviously great quality to
begin with, and we must compliment both Cedar Key and Costco for
their high standards in processing, shipping and storage. Yum!
Unfortunately, bad fried clams are more common than good ones.
Fried clam strips are often fried too long and rock-hard, or
microwaved and rubbery. Fried whole clams may contain some
disgusting stuff, so eat them quickly and don't analyze each
morsel.
If you can still find a Howard Johnson's restaurant, the
"TenderSweet" clam strips should be good, particularly on a roll
with tartar sauce. If you're desperate, you can get tolerable clam
strips even at White Castle.
CLICK to read about the origin of fried clam strips
Fried clam strips are often fried too long and rock-hard, or
microwaved and rubbery. Fried whole clams may contain some
disgusting stuff, so eat them quickly and don't analyze each
morsel.
If you can still find a Howard Johnson's restaurant, the
"TenderSweet" clam strips should be good, particularly on a roll
with tartar sauce. If you're desperate, you can get tolerable clam
strips even at White Castle.
CLICK to read about the origin of fried clam strips
Best Fried Clams on Earth are
the caramel colored whole-belly
crunchies served at Cindy's, just south
of Freeport, Maine. Other specialties
include perfect lobsters, cookies,
scrumptious fried mushrooms, cold
lobster rolls and addictive clam
chowder. Cindy's 28th season will begin
in the Spring of 2007.
Cindy's has our FIVE STARFISH rating.
CLICK for more.
the caramel colored whole-belly
crunchies served at Cindy's, just south
of Freeport, Maine. Other specialties
include perfect lobsters, cookies,
scrumptious fried mushrooms, cold
lobster rolls and addictive clam
chowder. Cindy's 28th season will begin
in the Spring of 2007.
Cindy's has our FIVE STARFISH rating.
CLICK for more.
Best Non-Fried Clams on Earth
are the wood-fire roasted "specials" at
The Place in Guilford, Connecticut. They
also make great lobster, amazing roasted
corn, plus chicken, shrimp, mussels,
vegibobs and steaks. You can bring adult
drinks, or buy a soft drink. The Place will
open for its 38th season on 4/27/07.
The Place has our FIVE STARFISH rating.
CLICK for more.
are the wood-fire roasted "specials" at
The Place in Guilford, Connecticut. They
also make great lobster, amazing roasted
corn, plus chicken, shrimp, mussels,
vegibobs and steaks. You can bring adult
drinks, or buy a soft drink. The Place will
open for its 38th season on 4/27/07.
The Place has our FIVE STARFISH rating.
CLICK for more.
Jimmie's restaurant in Savin Rock (West Haven), CT, has
the second best fried clams I've tasted -- cooked perfectly with
about 70 years practice. Portions are big, and unless you eat
fast, some will be too cold to enjoy. Jimmie's has great fried
shrimp and scallops, too; and is famous for its fries and hot dogs
. You can feed seagulls in the parking lot or on the adjacent
beach. Right next to Jimmie's, a former competing restaurant
has been transformed into a city-owned conference center.
One of the meeting rooms is "The Clam Room."
Gourmet Magazine says the world's best fried clams are at the
White Cap restaurant in Ipswich, MA. I heard people on the
Discovery Channel raving about the Clam Box, also in Ipswich.
I've never been there, but I'm going to get there. (They're
closed mid-December through mid February).
Dino's in North Haven CT has excellent seafood, sandwiches
and dinners. The fried food comes very fast, so if you want
chowder first, tell them to delay the main course. Sometimes I
have the chowder for desert. Sometimes I have chowder, then
clams, and then more chowder.
In North Haven a few miles south of Dino's, Nick's Char-Pit is
the pits, with the worst fried clams I ever tasted. The clams
were under-cooked, slimy and disgusting. The Rhode Island
chowder was really celery soup, with no discernible presence of
our favorite bivalve. My visit was the first time in my life I couldn't
(wouldn't, actually) finish clams and chowder. YUCK!
Worst stuffed clams I ever tasted were at Little Italy in East
Meadow, NY. The lazy cook mixed some canned minced clams
with bread crumbs and heated the gloppy mess in aluminum foil
shells. He should be whacked.
I've had great steamed clams
(little neck, not soft shell)
at the Tally Ho in Bethlehem, PA,
( 205 W 4th St.) and at Hooters
in several cities. The scenery is
better at Hooters.
You can get delicious clam pizza, either red or white, at
Papa's Pizza & Pasta, 258 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford CT,
about half way between Route 1 and the beach. 203 874-0215,
closed Monday. No indoor eating: take it home, or use one of
the picnic tables. Pies are "New Haven style," baked in a brick
oven. The thin crust is absolutely perfect, not slimy-sloppy, or
rock hard, but firm and chewy, like a good bagel.
the second best fried clams I've tasted -- cooked perfectly with
about 70 years practice. Portions are big, and unless you eat
fast, some will be too cold to enjoy. Jimmie's has great fried
shrimp and scallops, too; and is famous for its fries and hot dogs
. You can feed seagulls in the parking lot or on the adjacent
beach. Right next to Jimmie's, a former competing restaurant
has been transformed into a city-owned conference center.
One of the meeting rooms is "The Clam Room."
Gourmet Magazine says the world's best fried clams are at the
White Cap restaurant in Ipswich, MA. I heard people on the
Discovery Channel raving about the Clam Box, also in Ipswich.
I've never been there, but I'm going to get there. (They're
closed mid-December through mid February).
Dino's in North Haven CT has excellent seafood, sandwiches
and dinners. The fried food comes very fast, so if you want
chowder first, tell them to delay the main course. Sometimes I
have the chowder for desert. Sometimes I have chowder, then
clams, and then more chowder.
In North Haven a few miles south of Dino's, Nick's Char-Pit is
the pits, with the worst fried clams I ever tasted. The clams
were under-cooked, slimy and disgusting. The Rhode Island
chowder was really celery soup, with no discernible presence of
our favorite bivalve. My visit was the first time in my life I couldn't
(wouldn't, actually) finish clams and chowder. YUCK!
Worst stuffed clams I ever tasted were at Little Italy in East
Meadow, NY. The lazy cook mixed some canned minced clams
with bread crumbs and heated the gloppy mess in aluminum foil
shells. He should be whacked.
I've had great steamed clams
(little neck, not soft shell)
at the Tally Ho in Bethlehem, PA,
( 205 W 4th St.) and at Hooters
in several cities. The scenery is
better at Hooters.
You can get delicious clam pizza, either red or white, at
Papa's Pizza & Pasta, 258 Naugatuck Avenue, Milford CT,
about half way between Route 1 and the beach. 203 874-0215,
closed Monday. No indoor eating: take it home, or use one of
the picnic tables. Pies are "New Haven style," baked in a brick
oven. The thin crust is absolutely perfect, not slimy-sloppy, or
rock hard, but firm and chewy, like a good bagel.
WeLoveClams.com Michael N. Marcus, Clam Master