Bob’s Clam Hut – Rte 1 Kittery, Maine
Food – 10/10
Ambiance – 9/10
Service – 9/10
Best for – fried clams (!!), fresh seafood, pick up, casual dining, outdoor seating
As a lover of food with an unhealthy addiction to reality television, it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite TV stations is the Food Network. One of the programs I really enjoy is the ever popular Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. I love how Guy Fieri travels across the country looking for that town’s “it” diner or dive restaurant. In particular I like when he covers a town on the east coast (New England, NYC,Philadelphia,DC,Baltimore) because this increases the chance that I might actually one day get to try the showcase of delicious foods he’s just strewn across my TV screen.
Several months ago I came across a show covering Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine. Having lived 18 years of my life in New Hampshire I had driven past this spot MANY times on my way to the beach or on frequent outlet shopping trips. However, the thought of stopping there never occurred to me because I did not eat seafood at the time. I know…I know….what a waste of 18 years living in NH to not have enjoyed the seafood! At any rate now over 10 years later I love almost all fish and shellfish and during trips home I make a point to satisfy my favorite New England seafood…fried clams! There are a couple of spots near my Mom’s house that I usually go to but after seeing this segment I became set on my next clams being from Bob’s Clam Hut.
After a bit of retail therapy along the Rte 1 Kittery outlets I convinced my Mom to stop at Bob’s for lunch. She had been once before but wasn’t quite sure why I was so obsessed with going. I made sure to give her a full synopsis during the car ride there. There are 2 types of fried clams on the menu….The Bob’s, which are made the original way from years ago when they opened (clams into bread mixture and fried) and The Lillian’s, named after a long time employee Lillian who came up with this way, (clams into egg wash, then bread mixture, and fried). I told Mom we must share a basket with half of each clam so that we can determine for ourselves which one was better.
Both clams were so delicious that it was really tough to pick a favorite. When (yes when, not if!) I go back I will likely get a split basket again because I’m just not sure which is better! My Mom’s favorite was The Lilliane’s which I think is what many people would say because it tasted more like fried food should (crunchier batter). However, I also really liked The Bob’s because the coating wasn’t over done and the delicious taste of the clam could really shine through. At any rate Mom and I both agreed these clams were THE BEST we had ever had! I think this speaks volumes to the quality of the seafood Bob’s uses and I have a feeling all the other seafood options on their menu are just as outstanding as these clams.
If getting to see my wonderful family wasn’t enough of an incentive to go home to NH (which it is of course!!) getting to have my Bob’s clams will be an added bonus! In fact I’m a bit jealous my Mom can enjoy these little bites of heaven any time she wants…maybe she can figure a way to send them to NYC….:)
If you’re ever in Kittery, ME and like clams as much as I do definitely stop in to Bob’s Clam Hut. Although beware that they can have a crazy line out the door, even before the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives show aired. Even on a 45 degree rainy day in April the indoor dining room was packed so I can only imagine what the line in the summer is like! But I promise these clams and the quality of Bob’s seafood is soo worth the wait! Enjoy!!
Wandering Wino Foodie 