Jon Crispin's Notebook

Yesterday, Peter and I drove home from Maine where we were visiting my brother and his family.  Since we were near the coast, Pete had done a quick search of fried clam possibilities.  It is the off season so we weren’t sure what would be open.  A search of “fried clams southern maine” turned up one that looked promising.  So from Scarborough we headed south on the 95 and ended up in Kittery at Bob’s on Route 1.

It is really great; by far the cleanest and nicest of all the clam shacks that we have frequented.  And the woman who took our order was so nice.  You can see her on the right scooping out my chowder.

I had been feeling a bit poorly the day before and I wasn’t sure if fried clams at 11.45 in the morning were such a good idea, so I had the fish chowder.  It was perfect.  Not gloppy like some that use thickener or too much heavy cream.  The broth was milky and buttery with lots of fish.

Peter was going to get a small, but I figured I could eat a few so we got the medium box.  So the verdict is, highest marks to Bob’s.  It is now in our top two along with Farnham’s in Essex, MA.  I think the clams at Farnham’s are just a bit juicer, but Bob’s chowder is superior.