A special place for me! I've come for many years and make the 45 min drive at least 1-2X a year. Food is delicious and I appreciate how they serve beer and wine! They also have a little ice cream / gift shop which is seasonal. Will definitely go back this summer for some lobster!
S B.
For those of us who have moved away, Woodman's sits atop our "wish we never left" list. Every time we return, we go to Woodman's. The only change is price - the food is happily the same. There is nowhere to get fried clams outside of New England; heck, no one even knows what a soft-shell/long-neck/steamer clam is! Clam "strips"? What is that, leftover from Howard Johnson's!?! Breaded rubber bands...
Roger V.
Woodman's of Essex delivers the quintessential New England seafood experience! Indulge in the freshest lobsters, steamers, and golden fried clams. Situated on the edge of the Essex River, the ambiance provides the full saltwater experience. A summer night's dinner at Woodman's is truly unparalleled - a must-try for seafood enthusiasts!
Mark R.
I know it is pricey and a tourist trap but I have to say the scallops and onion rings and some of the best in the area. It's worth the price.
Danielle N.
I got food poisoning twice after eating chicken fingers here. When I tried getting my money back I was told by a staff member that "I'm a liar and don't ever come back".
Kimberly N.
Stopped by Woodman's of Essex for lunch after strawberry picking at Russell Orchards because it was nearby (less than 10 minutes, so this could be a fun summer itinerary for you, too!). It was quite crowded, but there is seating inside and outside. After you place your order, there is a side window to pick up your food once they call your number. We decided to sit on the benches outside, which was chilly even in the summer because it was by the water. The lobster roll wasn't the best that I've ever had. There wasn't a lot of sauce, and it was small for the price. We also got fries, fried clam strips, fried scallops, and fried calamari. I liked the fried clam strips and scallops the most. The rest was average.
Gary K
15.99 for a "Special Clam Boat" If you can call it that?? 95% French Fries. Scallop Plate.... 39.99 did not impress me all all, soggy onion rings and the tater sauce was ALL Mayonnaise, terrible!!.......The food was almost like every other fried food restaurant their is. Nothing standed out different, actually the scallop were not that good at all. Had Much better! I don't see us ever going back. The only thing that blew us away was "The Prices" French Fries weren't bad though, that's about it.....
Peter R.
Good clams but often overcooked in their fryalaters! Try Farnham's up the road. Great clams and scallops and shrimp!!
Linda G.
Amazing onion rings, and the clams with bellies are fabulous. Staff is always pleasant and helpful. They support a military discount. Clam shack ambiance. Best enjoyed on a rainy Sunday afternoon!
Jenn T.
We stopped by in a quick drive through Essex. The lobsters we large and incredible and the restaurant gives you a perfect vibe of a lobster shack but in a good way!
This is one of the better "clam shacks" in Massachusetts and in all likelihood the most well-known at least here on the coast. This place is somewhat of a legend which translates to "very popular". In the summer, good luck getting in without waiting quite a long time in line...which I no longer am willing to do. The beauty of coming here "off season" and on a Sunday when the clocks were just turned back the night before is that you are hungry for lunch "earlier", and there are no crowds to speak of. So last Sunday when the clocks said it was 11:30am, it was in reality still 12:30pm in our minds (lunchtime!) as we had not yet had time to adjust to the time change.We've been here many times over the years but not in a very long time so it was nice to be back. Everything looked the same as it always has.We were soon to discover that the overall quality of the food is still quite good. Seafood is pricey these days, so clam shack or not, you're going to have to face the sticker shock. However, Woodman's is not nearly as expensive as another clam-shack/restaurant closer to home and the quality is better. It might be that the sheer volume of business that they do here may keep the prices ever so slightly better than some other places.My favorite thing to order (and what they are known for in particular) are the fried clam bellies. They also sell fried clam strip platters but for me, it is the clam bellies for sure. The bellies are meatier and really have the flavor of the ocean noticeable in each bite.The place is very large with lots of seating both indoors and out. You order at a counter and wait at your table for your number to be called. There is another counter where you can order beer and wine which is served to you right away and you bring to your table.Tom and I both got the clam belly platters, his with onion rings, mine with fries. The portion size was perfect for me but smaller than I remember....but trust me, it is still plenty of food. This is a no frills place that visually kind of reminds me of a camp dining hall.Other menu items include lobsters, lobster rolls, fish sandwiches, crab rolls, steamed clams with drawn butter (another fave of mine), etc. There are a few non-seafood items on the menu as well but that isn't what I'd come here for.There is ample free parking and everything is on one level and easily navigable. There are a few tables that are inexplicably very tight fits but just across the room are larger tables that are easier to maneuver in and out of.This is delicious New England seafood in an unpretentious, unfussy, relaxed setting. One of the reasons I love living in New England is classic seafood in a place just like this.
Barbara H.
I had the lobster roll and it was so delicious. The restaurant was very busy but waiting in line for the food wasn't too bad. My husband and I chatted with the folks that were standing and waiting for their orders like us. We will definitely visit this restaurant again. A nice place to bring your family.
Vincenzo M.
Visited the restaurant in 2012 and had to come back again. We had the fried clams with the belies, warm Lobster rolls with butter, clam chowder, and fries.The lobster rolls had plenty of tender fresh sweet lobster. Large clams that melted in your mouth.Again we had a wonderful time and will continue to come back in the future.
Les F
5 stars all the way with this one. Rated as "The Best Seafood in America." The restaurant has received many awards and I can see why. The fried clams, are second to none. Sweet and tasty. The onion rings are also excellent. Supposedly, the first clam was fried here in the town of Essex. Woodman's has been cited as "an American Cult Classic-right up there with baseball and apple pie." It has a full bar, it is family friendly & has excellent water views. The fried clams served here are the best I have ever eaten.
P N.
Too much hype for this place. The fried fish and clams had a good crust but not flavorful. The tartar sauce made it tolerable. Service was friendly, restaurant is clean.
A special place for me! I've come for many years and make the 45 min drive at least 1-2X a year. Food is delicious and I appreciate how they serve beer and wine! They also have a little ice cream / gift shop which is seasonal. Will definitely go back this summer for some lobster!
For those of us who have moved away, Woodman's sits atop our "wish we never left" list. Every time we return, we go to Woodman's. The only change is price - the food is happily the same. There is nowhere to get fried clams outside of New England; heck, no one even knows what a soft-shell/long-neck/steamer clam is! Clam "strips"? What is that, leftover from Howard Johnson's!?! Breaded rubber bands...
Woodman's of Essex delivers the quintessential New England seafood experience! Indulge in the freshest lobsters, steamers, and golden fried clams. Situated on the edge of the Essex River, the ambiance provides the full saltwater experience. A summer night's dinner at Woodman's is truly unparalleled - a must-try for seafood enthusiasts!
I know it is pricey and a tourist trap but I have to say the scallops and onion rings and some of the best in the area. It's worth the price.
I got food poisoning twice after eating chicken fingers here. When I tried getting my money back I was told by a staff member that "I'm a liar and don't ever come back".
Stopped by Woodman's of Essex for lunch after strawberry picking at Russell Orchards because it was nearby (less than 10 minutes, so this could be a fun summer itinerary for you, too!). It was quite crowded, but there is seating inside and outside. After you place your order, there is a side window to pick up your food once they call your number. We decided to sit on the benches outside, which was chilly even in the summer because it was by the water. The lobster roll wasn't the best that I've ever had. There wasn't a lot of sauce, and it was small for the price. We also got fries, fried clam strips, fried scallops, and fried calamari. I liked the fried clam strips and scallops the most. The rest was average.
15.99 for a "Special Clam Boat" If you can call it that?? 95% French Fries. Scallop Plate.... 39.99 did not impress me all all, soggy onion rings and the tater sauce was ALL Mayonnaise, terrible!!.......The food was almost like every other fried food restaurant their is. Nothing standed out different, actually the scallop were not that good at all. Had Much better! I don't see us ever going back. The only thing that blew us away was "The Prices" French Fries weren't bad though, that's about it.....
Good clams but often overcooked in their fryalaters! Try Farnham's up the road. Great clams and scallops and shrimp!!
Amazing onion rings, and the clams with bellies are fabulous. Staff is always pleasant and helpful. They support a military discount. Clam shack ambiance. Best enjoyed on a rainy Sunday afternoon!
We stopped by in a quick drive through Essex. The lobsters we large and incredible and the restaurant gives you a perfect vibe of a lobster shack but in a good way!
Restaurantji Recommends
This is one of the better "clam shacks" in Massachusetts and in all likelihood the most well-known at least here on the coast. This place is somewhat of a legend which translates to "very popular". In the summer, good luck getting in without waiting quite a long time in line...which I no longer am willing to do. The beauty of coming here "off season" and on a Sunday when the clocks were just turned back the night before is that you are hungry for lunch "earlier", and there are no crowds to speak of. So last Sunday when the clocks said it was 11:30am, it was in reality still 12:30pm in our minds (lunchtime!) as we had not yet had time to adjust to the time change.We've been here many times over the years but not in a very long time so it was nice to be back. Everything looked the same as it always has.We were soon to discover that the overall quality of the food is still quite good. Seafood is pricey these days, so clam shack or not, you're going to have to face the sticker shock. However, Woodman's is not nearly as expensive as another clam-shack/restaurant closer to home and the quality is better. It might be that the sheer volume of business that they do here may keep the prices ever so slightly better than some other places.My favorite thing to order (and what they are known for in particular) are the fried clam bellies. They also sell fried clam strip platters but for me, it is the clam bellies for sure. The bellies are meatier and really have the flavor of the ocean noticeable in each bite.The place is very large with lots of seating both indoors and out. You order at a counter and wait at your table for your number to be called. There is another counter where you can order beer and wine which is served to you right away and you bring to your table.Tom and I both got the clam belly platters, his with onion rings, mine with fries. The portion size was perfect for me but smaller than I remember....but trust me, it is still plenty of food. This is a no frills place that visually kind of reminds me of a camp dining hall.Other menu items include lobsters, lobster rolls, fish sandwiches, crab rolls, steamed clams with drawn butter (another fave of mine), etc. There are a few non-seafood items on the menu as well but that isn't what I'd come here for.There is ample free parking and everything is on one level and easily navigable. There are a few tables that are inexplicably very tight fits but just across the room are larger tables that are easier to maneuver in and out of.This is delicious New England seafood in an unpretentious, unfussy, relaxed setting. One of the reasons I love living in New England is classic seafood in a place just like this.
I had the lobster roll and it was so delicious. The restaurant was very busy but waiting in line for the food wasn't too bad. My husband and I chatted with the folks that were standing and waiting for their orders like us. We will definitely visit this restaurant again. A nice place to bring your family.
Visited the restaurant in 2012 and had to come back again. We had the fried clams with the belies, warm Lobster rolls with butter, clam chowder, and fries.The lobster rolls had plenty of tender fresh sweet lobster. Large clams that melted in your mouth.Again we had a wonderful time and will continue to come back in the future.
5 stars all the way with this one. Rated as "The Best Seafood in America." The restaurant has received many awards and I can see why. The fried clams, are second to none. Sweet and tasty. The onion rings are also excellent. Supposedly, the first clam was fried here in the town of Essex. Woodman's has been cited as "an American Cult Classic-right up there with baseball and apple pie." It has a full bar, it is family friendly & has excellent water views. The fried clams served here are the best I have ever eaten.
Too much hype for this place. The fried fish and clams had a good crust but not flavorful. The tartar sauce made it tolerable. Service was friendly, restaurant is clean.