Whole belly clams
 

They have them at the Lighthouse in Lake Sumter - expensive but they are there. Owner is also from Boston.

Whole belly clams
 

Dan's Clam Hut. Rt 44 Lecanto. Delicious!

Lighthouse on Lake Sumter. But will try some of the suggested restaurants as I love whole bellies!

Lena's in Silver Springs has them, or did!

Rae Rae's on 441

So all of these people from Massachusetts who have mentioned Essex House in Pierson are wrong?

I've been to Essex House several times and I can tell you that it's as good or better than what I used to get in eastern Massachusetts.

Chinese food is subject to where you come from. It's different everywhere. I'm from the Boston area and got used to a certain style of Chinese food. I've had it in San Francisco where it is supposed to be the best in the U.S. and I didn't like it as much as the stuff I got at home. I've also had Chinese food in China and I would guess that most Americans would hate it.

The same goes for pizza. The pizza and Chinese food here are fine. They are just not what we are used to.

OK I'll BITE. Being from the left coast what makes the clams with bellies special fried?

The Lighthouse in the Villages. Has great whole belly fried clams

“ Clam strips are like decaf coffee – what’s the point?”

“How is this even a question? Clam strips are not clams, they are deep-fried rubber bands.”

“Clam strips are like a hot fudge sundae without the hot fudge.”

“Go belly or go home!“

“WHOLE clams or NO clams!”

Having lived in both Boston and Los Angeles, I am pretty sure that there are no REAL clams with bellies on the west coast. A western fried clam is nothing like a fried Ipswich clam which is the only one with the bellies people are looking for. They have a distinctive flavor and are more juicy than rubbery like a whole "regular" clam. I looked for them in the west for 40 years that I lived there and never found one. I'm excited to find them here! While I'm at it, I also looked for shrimp with lobster sauce like I had in Boston and never found that either. Any of that anywhere near here?

You’ll have to try them to find out.

Well, without the bellies is basically a tiny piece of calamari. but also being from New England and hunter/gather them myself (actually snorkel for quahogs and dig for steamers) frying kills the whole clam experience. They should be steamed for 3-4 minutes, put in bowl to cool, and then gently removed from the shell and lightly dipped in a mixture of lime and butter. . . or lemon and butter, but just lightly. . . and if you don't know how to remove all the sand prior to cooking, you aren't a real hunter/gatherer/connehserrrrr

and while we are on the topic, Mussels, the surface bivalve, is the bad cousin used for fish bait.

Confirm What You Will Be Served At The Lighthouse
 

In the past, I've had whole bellies at the Lighthouse. Most often, I ordered the clam strips, which were freshly breaded, much cheaper yet satisfying.,

However, last week I ordered the clam strips and was shocked when served a product that looked identical to that by Mrs. Paul in the frozen food section at Publix. In fact, it probably was Mrs. Paul's, with breading that was a 1/4th inch thick and had certainly come from a plastic bag in the freezer.

I complained to the server. She told me the restaurant changed its supplier and the concoction I was served is now the regular menu item. She went on to say that she recommends not ordering the clam strips if asked. I told her I wished she had volunteered that when I ordered.

I didn't ask if the supplier for the whole bellies was changed. However, before ordering them, I will be certain to do so.

Fortunately, my wife shared her fish and chips. The fish was a full side of Haddock and was excellent. Also, it was a bargain at less than $10.

I think its called Old Town Tavern, great place I go there often.

yes mr Winston. when I see people with name tags indicating where they are from, be it Maine, Rhode Island, or even that place you are from, which I refuse to admit. it is the same response. the "seafood" here is awful. I've tried several of those hidden gems, for fried clams, and like I said forget it. I cringe when some people tell me that they get raw oysters? and tell me they are great? good luck with that. go to the country clubs, the food is 50-50,