Maine Stay Inn ~ An Insider's Guide to Kennebunkport

Maybe it isn't a "Welcome to Kennebunkport" sign, but the Clam Shack has been greeting visitors to Kennebunkport for many years.

Voted by Epicurious.com as one of the top ten seafood shacks in America, the Clam Shack serves up fried clams that persuade food loving travelers to detour many, many miles for the taste of these fried bi-valves (I think calling them bi-valves sounds gross. Let's make it, fried morsels).

The fried clam was invented in 1914, by Chubby Woodman of Essex, Massachusetts. According to Holly Moore (he's a real, honest-to-goodness food critic), "Woodman invented the fried clam, but the Clam Shack perfected it."

This truly is a shack. When you pick up your food, you then need to find a spot to eat. The best spot is to stroll right onto the bridge and either enjoy the view down the Kennebunk River or, turn around and people watch. Warning, warning, don't set your fried clams or anything else down. The sea gulls will enjoy them just as much as you would have.

Owner, Steve Kingston took over from Clam Shack founder, Richard Jacques just five years ago and Steve hasn't skipped a beat. He is passionate about the quality of the clams he serves.

One other thing, the lobster rolls at the clam shack also are said to be the best. Try one, you will definitely not be disappointed. Let me know what you think.

Labels: Kennebunkport Restaurants