Food is good, location is great and it's BYOB. They seem to make improvements each year. Seasonal only.
HoneyBadger1972
We rated this place a few years ago when quality control was in place. Well, that’s gone but the prices have skyrocketed and the portions have shrunk. We’re not going back. Use to love this place.
Cal Pernicious
For a place that is BYOB, I expected the food to be pretty good. It was pretty pricy, but nothing we had would make me want to come back. Really just not a good value even though it’s got a nice view. The food, even though there is lobster and what not, still tastes like something you’d get at a little league game.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: BYOB
Andrew Wells
What a great find this is my second trip back! Had Lobster nachos and they were out of control good! First time I didn't realize they had a second story deck so I took advantage of that. Food was phenomenal service was outstanding in the view is gorgeous. Met the owner angie, super friendly and you can tell everyone loves working there and serving up great food and service. Just have to figure out what I'm going to get there next!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Nachos
Len Tomasello
Wasn’t too sure what to expect when we drove up, but we couldn’t be more pleased! Each of our lunches was delicious. The fish tacos were the BEST I’ve ever had, my wife’s scallops were cooked perfectly. My guest who can’t eat seafood, said her cheeseburger was the best,. Iced tea and lemonade were delicious and were refilled at no extra cost. We sat up on the “ porch” that has a beautiful view!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish And, Chips
Allie K.
We stopped into Shank's over the weekend. The area was pretty busy but we were able to place our order promptly. The service at the order counter is friendly and knowledgeable. NOTE: although there are many options marked gluten free, fryers are shared, and the kitchen space is small. Know your tolerance level before getting excited about gluten free fried seafood. We ordered the fried clam strips and the lobster grilled cheese with chips. Lobster portion was generous. The food was standard, not too greasy. The view was great. We sat and ate our food while watching boats come in and out of the area. There's also a covered tent area, so we were in the shade.
Chamiea C.
The food at Shanks is average, however the $3 pp charge for consuming alcohol is unacceptable. The justification for the charge was for uncorking bottles, supplying an ice bucket with ice, and glasses. Unfortunatley, anyone drinking from a can or bottle of beer is also charged without any of the services noted above. This policy is no more than a surcharge and as such is unfair. Shanks needs to change this alcohol policy if they want to ensure repeat customers.
Heather W.
Looks like a great assortment of food! Soggy lobster rolls due to expediter delivering it sloshing the butter cup to spill all over the bottom of recycled paper plates. Butter cup congealed and HUGE amount of salt stuck on bottom. Chips browned to the point of burning; a couple actually undone and chewy. "Service" practically non-existent but they charge you a s3 pp BYOB fee Because everything was so haphazardly basic, feeling price gouged re the lobster rolls. I seriously doubt they weigh them, as we had two of the"same' which were markedly different. Music blaring upstairs. Lots of screaming children running around downstairs under the tent. There are no real bathrooms here either. You order at a counter after walking through gravel walkway, less smooth than the driveway next to it
Cheryl S.
We visited this restaurant for a late lunch during the week. Mostly outdoor eating but they do have an inside area. Not sure who would want to sit inside as the view from the top deck or even the bottom deck is right on the water. Very pretty views. Service was quick and pleasant. BYOB if you want to drink alcohol. Our seafood was fresh and delicious. Coleslaw yummy. Nothing to complain about. Definitely will be back!
Matt W.
There is a reason why there is a line next door at lobster landing and nobody at Shanks. take a guess!!
First time here. We usually go to Lobster Landing next door. Also my first time writing a negative review for any restaurant ever. But I want management to know that someone is not monitoring the fryer! And that food is being sent out to customers that should never leave the kitchen . My lobster roll was ok but not warm and roll was soggy even before I added the butter. The house made potato chips were burnt and hard as a rock. Fried belly clams got sent back ( also a first, we have never sent food back anywhere)because they were so burnt . The second plate was worst than the first, no belly’s to be found and also way way over cooked.We even thought that the kitchen was getting revenge for sending the plate back.We did get a credit on the clams but really wanted a good meal on this beautiful day more than anything.I have read other negative reviews where the response is that the manager will make things right when you come back next. But that won’t be happening.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
Dan R.
"Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be" (Crosby, Stills, Nash) When you place your order at Shanks, you'll probably notice that you're ordering on a ship. You're not tripping, the owners bought a boat, a decommissioned 42-foot lobster boat, transported it from New Haven to Clinton, built out a commercial kitchen, tacked it onto a building and made Shanks a very cool restaurant experience for your dining pleasure. They have three dining rooms -outdoors under a tent, outdoors on a roof patio, and indoors in a dining room. We ordered from two smiling high school age young men that were very professional. We each went for a small lobster roll with chips. Lobster rolls are offered in three sizes - $29 for 4 ounces, $37 for 6 ounces, and $48 for 8 ounces. As the first young man was ringing us up, the seconds one jumped to make our beverages. In fact, the thing that stood out to us was the staff as a whole - a big group of smiling courteous young men and women with great personalities. I saw one young lady bring over a bowl of water for a customer's dog on her own, and thought that was pretty awesome. She also checked in on us during our lunch and that's always a plus in my book. After we ordered, we took a seat under the tent and placed a small wooden buoy on our table -a signal for the server to bring our order, and when that order came out we were very happy with what appeared to be a heaping mound of 100% claw meat on our sandwiches. The rolls are served hot with melted butter "Connecticut Style" as opposed to cold with mayo "Massachusetts Style". They were served with a lemon wedge, container of melted butter, and a big portion of homemade potato chips. There's a side table by the tent with a ketchup dispenser, and "to go" boxes for any leftovers, that's something I rarely see. We certainly didn't have any left over lobster, but we did take home a good amount of chips for tomorrow, There are so many lobster and seafood shacks on the CT shore and we've been to half a dozen of them. But, I don't think any of them gave us a better overall consumer experience than Shanks did. Well done!
Ronald M.
I could not have been anymore disappointed with my order of whole belly clams -- dinner. Way over cooked and really greasy and the clams were unbelievably small. They did bring me another order. Unfortunately, it was worse than the first plate they served me !! I asked for a refund which they gave us. FYI... the college kids working there could not have been any nicer and apologetic. The cook however should be ashamed of themselves !!! We also had the clam chowder and a lobster roll, both of which were very good. Would I go back?? At this point I am not sure. Damn that was really disappointing. Was looking forward to some whole belly clams.
Marisa Ceneri
The view was beautiful and the service was great. Was very disappointed in the clam strip platter. Clams were over cooked and the portion looked like a kids portion. Not worth $28. Will not be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
V M
Outdoors under a tent, on a deck or in a cafe area...choose where you want to sit. Excellent seafood!. Great views, friendly staff. Perfect summer seafood restaurant.
Food is good, location is great and it's BYOB. They seem to make improvements each year. Seasonal only.
We rated this place a few years ago when quality control was in place. Well, that’s gone but the prices have skyrocketed and the portions have shrunk. We’re not going back. Use to love this place.
For a place that is BYOB, I expected the food to be pretty good. It was pretty pricy, but nothing we had would make me want to come back. Really just not a good value even though it’s got a nice view. The food, even though there is lobster and what not, still tastes like something you’d get at a little league game.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: BYOB
What a great find this is my second trip back! Had Lobster nachos and they were out of control good! First time I didn't realize they had a second story deck so I took advantage of that. Food was phenomenal service was outstanding in the view is gorgeous. Met the owner angie, super friendly and you can tell everyone loves working there and serving up great food and service. Just have to figure out what I'm going to get there next!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Nachos
Wasn’t too sure what to expect when we drove up, but we couldn’t be more pleased! Each of our lunches was delicious. The fish tacos were the BEST I’ve ever had, my wife’s scallops were cooked perfectly. My guest who can’t eat seafood, said her cheeseburger was the best,. Iced tea and lemonade were delicious and were refilled at no extra cost. We sat up on the “ porch” that has a beautiful view!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish And, Chips
We stopped into Shank's over the weekend. The area was pretty busy but we were able to place our order promptly. The service at the order counter is friendly and knowledgeable. NOTE: although there are many options marked gluten free, fryers are shared, and the kitchen space is small. Know your tolerance level before getting excited about gluten free fried seafood. We ordered the fried clam strips and the lobster grilled cheese with chips. Lobster portion was generous. The food was standard, not too greasy. The view was great. We sat and ate our food while watching boats come in and out of the area. There's also a covered tent area, so we were in the shade.
The food at Shanks is average, however the $3 pp charge for consuming alcohol is unacceptable. The justification for the charge was for uncorking bottles, supplying an ice bucket with ice, and glasses. Unfortunatley, anyone drinking from a can or bottle of beer is also charged without any of the services noted above. This policy is no more than a surcharge and as such is unfair. Shanks needs to change this alcohol policy if they want to ensure repeat customers.
Looks like a great assortment of food! Soggy lobster rolls due to expediter delivering it sloshing the butter cup to spill all over the bottom of recycled paper plates. Butter cup congealed and HUGE amount of salt stuck on bottom. Chips browned to the point of burning; a couple actually undone and chewy. "Service" practically non-existent but they charge you a s3 pp BYOB fee Because everything was so haphazardly basic, feeling price gouged re the lobster rolls. I seriously doubt they weigh them, as we had two of the"same' which were markedly different. Music blaring upstairs. Lots of screaming children running around downstairs under the tent. There are no real bathrooms here either. You order at a counter after walking through gravel walkway, less smooth than the driveway next to it
We visited this restaurant for a late lunch during the week. Mostly outdoor eating but they do have an inside area. Not sure who would want to sit inside as the view from the top deck or even the bottom deck is right on the water. Very pretty views. Service was quick and pleasant. BYOB if you want to drink alcohol. Our seafood was fresh and delicious. Coleslaw yummy. Nothing to complain about. Definitely will be back!
There is a reason why there is a line next door at lobster landing and nobody at Shanks. take a guess!!
Restaurantji Recommends
First time here. We usually go to Lobster Landing next door. Also my first time writing a negative review for any restaurant ever. But I want management to know that someone is not monitoring the fryer! And that food is being sent out to customers that should never leave the kitchen . My lobster roll was ok but not warm and roll was soggy even before I added the butter. The house made potato chips were burnt and hard as a rock. Fried belly clams got sent back ( also a first, we have never sent food back anywhere)because they were so burnt . The second plate was worst than the first, no belly’s to be found and also way way over cooked.We even thought that the kitchen was getting revenge for sending the plate back.We did get a credit on the clams but really wanted a good meal on this beautiful day more than anything.I have read other negative reviews where the response is that the manager will make things right when you come back next. But that won’t be happening.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
"Wooden ships on the water, very free and easy Easy, you know the way it's supposed to be" (Crosby, Stills, Nash) When you place your order at Shanks, you'll probably notice that you're ordering on a ship. You're not tripping, the owners bought a boat, a decommissioned 42-foot lobster boat, transported it from New Haven to Clinton, built out a commercial kitchen, tacked it onto a building and made Shanks a very cool restaurant experience for your dining pleasure. They have three dining rooms -outdoors under a tent, outdoors on a roof patio, and indoors in a dining room. We ordered from two smiling high school age young men that were very professional. We each went for a small lobster roll with chips. Lobster rolls are offered in three sizes - $29 for 4 ounces, $37 for 6 ounces, and $48 for 8 ounces. As the first young man was ringing us up, the seconds one jumped to make our beverages. In fact, the thing that stood out to us was the staff as a whole - a big group of smiling courteous young men and women with great personalities. I saw one young lady bring over a bowl of water for a customer's dog on her own, and thought that was pretty awesome. She also checked in on us during our lunch and that's always a plus in my book. After we ordered, we took a seat under the tent and placed a small wooden buoy on our table -a signal for the server to bring our order, and when that order came out we were very happy with what appeared to be a heaping mound of 100% claw meat on our sandwiches. The rolls are served hot with melted butter "Connecticut Style" as opposed to cold with mayo "Massachusetts Style". They were served with a lemon wedge, container of melted butter, and a big portion of homemade potato chips. There's a side table by the tent with a ketchup dispenser, and "to go" boxes for any leftovers, that's something I rarely see. We certainly didn't have any left over lobster, but we did take home a good amount of chips for tomorrow, There are so many lobster and seafood shacks on the CT shore and we've been to half a dozen of them. But, I don't think any of them gave us a better overall consumer experience than Shanks did. Well done!
I could not have been anymore disappointed with my order of whole belly clams -- dinner. Way over cooked and really greasy and the clams were unbelievably small. They did bring me another order. Unfortunately, it was worse than the first plate they served me !! I asked for a refund which they gave us. FYI... the college kids working there could not have been any nicer and apologetic. The cook however should be ashamed of themselves !!! We also had the clam chowder and a lobster roll, both of which were very good. Would I go back?? At this point I am not sure. Damn that was really disappointing. Was looking forward to some whole belly clams.
The view was beautiful and the service was great. Was very disappointed in the clam strip platter. Clams were over cooked and the portion looked like a kids portion. Not worth $28. Will not be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Outdoors under a tent, on a deck or in a cafe area...choose where you want to sit. Excellent seafood!. Great views, friendly staff. Perfect summer seafood restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5