[downeaster]

Originally Posted by jtdraig

Finally found a great little clam shack, New England style, in West Volusia about 60 miles from The Villages. Totally unpretentioius, plain inside, Clean, and serves up friend whole belly clams, Shore platters (baked, broiled, or deep fried)..having grown up in New England and on Martha's Vineyard in particular, I have long searched for a place with the right kind of light breading on whole belly clams and yesterday actually found it! I was tipped off by a guy with whom I golfed so went right to Essex 2 after golf and was delighted....I will be going back. For anyone wanting to try it, work your way up to Route 40 (I went 25-42-19-40) and it's about a half mile past the bridge over the St John's river. When I say unpretentious, I mean unpretentious. It's a clam shack with several table inside. The owners are from Gloucester and Essex, Mass on Cape Ann.

Travel that route frequently due to family in St. Augustine Beach. Stopped there once and was underwhelmed.