We find this to be the best place so far to get a good fried seafood platter on the North Shore.
Posted by: ralph at February 16, 2010 09:45 PM 
Essex seafood used to have a terrific chef. This was about three years ago. The chef made exquisite chowder and his fried dishes were extraordinary. He'd peer out of the kitchen regularly to gauge how customers found the fare. Then one day he was gone and there were college-aged kids cooking the food. Needless to say the food went South as the rookies struggled to learn the craft and provide service beyond teenage grunts.
After a hiatus of three years I decided to go back again. The food was better but still cooked by college-aged kids who probably had the summer to refine their craft. That being said- the food is still not prepared with the finesse we had seen before like a light batter, light on the grease etc. We also ordered a hamburger ordered medium. The burger was delivered as a black hockey puck.
There are better choices - Farnhams, The Causeway in Gloucester and certainly the Ipswich Clam box.
Posted by: Ken at August 24, 2009 09:15 PM
Was going to Woodman's but decided to try Essex Seafood instead. So glad we did. Five of us ate. Steamers were hot, fresh and delicious. Fried clams, scallops and shrimp were scrumptious! Would recommend to anyone.
Posted by: Sue at July 26, 2008 09:32 PM
I have been going to Essex seafood for years and they have the most delicious fried seafood around. I can never finish a plate so my wife and I get boats. She gets hers with onion rings and I get one with fries. Plenty of tartar sauce free and a nice clean quiet atmosphere. The only bummer is I live in New Hampshire now and can only go once or twice a year if lucky. I miss you guys.
Posted by: Andrew Morrell at July 17, 2008 01:57 AMoh dear.
ate there several weeks ago, mid-week at around the 4:30 hour...
and it was really, really bad.
the shrimp tasted like the bottom of the harbor, and the scallops could have easily passed for large, partially dried balls of elmer's glue.
cooked in oil that was not up to temp.
so,so disappointing...sorry. you need to do much better...
the best semi secret in Cape Ann. the food is always fresh, the portions generous and staff super friendly. it's the best eat in the rough fried food restaurant around. the only place to go for clams in the north shore!!! we love it.
We find this to be the best place so far to get a good fried seafood platter on the North Shore. The fried clam plate is great too! I have had their clams, scallops, shrimp and I haven't been disappointed yet. All of their entrees are very generous, and I have been really satisfied, yum yum!! I feel the prices are reasonable for the quality of food, and quantity. The atmosphere is what it is, very family oriented, small and cozy and you can take your time without the hustle and bustle of other establishments in the area. One of the best kept secrets on the North Shore!
Delicious seafood, very casual atmosphere. We live in town and drive right past Woodmans without a backwards glance to eat here.
This is our family's favorite restaurant - great simple seafood in unassuming surroundings - 1/2 the price and better quality than Woodmans and usually no wait. Nothing fancy - reliable. Excellent Value.
I hear the fried food is the best- but I don't eat fried food.
I ordered the clambake- and told the staff that if the corn was not fresh- don't serve it to me. (This was in August- farm-stands are loaded with wonderful corn!) My lobster had been pre-cooked and re-heated- tough and no flavor. And corn is not a big deal- but they put a peice of corn on my plate that actually had brown rotten peices in it. UNACCEPTABLE
You fried food eaters- enjoy
Posted by: Kim at November 7, 2004 05:26 AMMore than once the fried clams were slightly overcooked. The food is just average, however, it's more than reasonable and the portions are generous.
Posted by: flip at November 14, 2003 07:39 PM
If you're looking for fried clams, there is no better place. It's not designed for hordes of tourists and there is no view, but the seafood is always fresh and they do know how to fry it. You just have to remember to bring your own beer.
Post a review! (Read Posting Guidelines.) The name field is a required field (real name or screen name). Due to an overload of spam, an email is also required to post a review. Only your name or screen name will be displayed in your entry. Cape Ann Web will not use or distribute your email in any manner - it's simply an added measure in our battle against spamming. Thanks for understanding!