[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.

[michaelkir]

I grew up on the north shore and have a summer home on Cape. I love New England seafood
This sounds great.
Is it too much to ask for steamers and beer????

[jtdraig]

Nope..they got that too!

[grayesun]

...can't wait to check it out, too bad they don't have a web page.

Do you recall if they serve real "fish & chips"...you know, with Haddock & if they serve real "clam chowda". Nothing beats a thick lumpy chowda...like pudding, pastey enough a spoon will stand up in it, is my favorite.

[bkcunningham1]

When my hubbie was working in Providence, RI., I was the "mom" to his company's interns, young singles and single income two parent families. We had many cheap dinners for the "kids" with lobsters and little necks bought straight from the boats at Narragansett Bay. With the help of locals, this southerner learned how to soak and make the clams clean themselves of salt and sand. And then after cooking I was taught how to retain the boiled water and add hot sauce for dipping...yummie....can't wait to give this place a try. B.K.

[Whatever]

I found this little gem about two years ago and it really is just a shack. We were there for the belly clams and the frog legs. Both were great. Don't expect any kind of ambiance as there is none. I believe that the town it is in is Astor. It is well worth the trip. Don't blink going over the bridge as you will miss the place. It is on the left hand side of the road.

[diskman]

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.

I am originally from NY, i have eaten steamers, little necks, clams on the half shell, but never heard of a belly clam???

[jblum8156]

I think belly clam means the whole clam, including the soft part, not just the crispy neck a la HoJO.

[lefty]

The place is a dump, but the food is GREAT. I found out that the owners have a place up north called Essex and this one is Essex 2I know that during "bike wek" they are really busy so if you don't like crowds a word to the wise

[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.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by grayesun

...can't wait to check it out, too bad they don't have a web page.

They don't have a website but the Gourmet Club's listing has one review.

Looks interesting. We'll have to try it.

Skip

[jtdraig]

Just checked back...most like it...there is no amibiance but in New England a real clam shack is just that...a real clam shack so if you are fuss budgets about ambiance, don't bother. If you like good NE clams, chowder, fish & chips (haddock), and other stuff, do go. FANTASTIC!

[Dynasty]

Anyone have an address to plug into the GPS?

[golfnut]

1360 West SR 40, Pierson, FL, looks interesting but keep in mind it's an hours drive from TV and they don't accept credit cards, fyi...gn