Clam Shacks

Book excerpt: A guide book to the 75 best shacks in the Northeast with historical background, biographical portraits of the owners, highlights from the menu, driving directions, photos, recipes, and more. The clam shacks scattered along New England’s coastline have been magnets for tourists and locals for decades. These (for the most part) seasonal eateries are imbued with character, nostalgia, and plenty of good, fresh seafood that is nearly always taken from local waters. Deep-fried clams, scallops, flounder, lobster rolls, steamers, chowders, corn on the cob, french fries, onion rings, homemade ice cream--all these things scream summer, sun, sand, and fun along the hundreds of miles of New England shoreline. And the shacks themselves are sights to behold, many designed in whimsical motifs that are a delight when viewed from the road or (better yet) from a picnic table right on the premises. New England Clam Shacks will be a road-trip-style guide to the 75 or so best shacks, starting in Connecticut and heading north and east through Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Each shack entry will feature a lively general description and historical background; biographical portraits of the owners past and present; highlights from the menu; driving directions; and two to three photos of each establishment. Sidebars scattered throughout the guide will feature recipes, clam shack legends and lore, information on local fishing fleets, and personal reminiscences from a broad array of clam shack aficionados (some of them, hopefully, celebrities). In short, whatever fits the clam shack zeitgeist and spirit will find its way into this unique and useful take-along guidebook and trip planner.