I'm from New England too. I have been to O'Shucks and it was very good. The specialty is of course the oysters. Although I have been eating fried clams all my life I have never had a fried oyster. I tried them the the other day and they were good but I guess I prefer clams. Interestingly they offer steamers but not fried clams. Don't understand that. The place is a dive but we usually go to the outdoor patio and that's pleasant enough. My wife does not like seafood but everything she has ordered she really liked. You can add $1 drafts to the appeal (it's Miller BTW - at least the day we went).
Sam St. Johns is just okay. I agree with former poster that the scallops are weird and will not order again. The only reason I go to Sam St. Johns is their fried whole-belly clams which are only served on Fridays and not on the menu. A secret menu thing. This was pre Covid so I don't know what's up now.
But I want to add that the best Seafood I have found is at Dan's Clam Stand in Crystal River. A real New England owner serving real New England seafood. Now the menu does have things like bay scallops for the uninitiated but they offer the "real thing" from New Bedford for us more appreciative diners. The owner came to our table to welcome us. He is super friendly and even gave us free clam chowder. Nothing fancy here but just excellent seafood.
Take a nice ride:
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