[quote=“President_Mochi, post:59, topic:4162”]
Truffle Honey-laced Fried Chicken (with Kohlrabi Slaw)
[/quote]Can I put that on the Fried Chicken Rundown thread @President_Mochi? It would be a good addition for the S. Bay peeps.
Ah! Of course. I actually remembered that thread earlier but forgot to add it there.
No worries. Even I haven’t posted a few things… And it’s my thread 
. Thanks!
Lobstah roll and fried clams (whole w/ bellies) @ Legal Sea Foods, Boston (photos swiped from their instagram page as I was too busy stuffing my face to stop and take a photo). YUMMY:
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Sweet Jesus I want those fried clams!
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You don’t know how jealous I am right now!
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they were really, really good and one of my favorite foods growing up in Boston. I had some Thursday night after arriving and again Sunday night. I know Connie & Ted’s supposedly has them, but I have yet to get over there to try them (too bad more places out here don’t have full fried clams). My dad also got some steamers that were HUGE (and delicious). Our server said they’re at their peak size right now compared to the beginning of the season.
On a side note—a friend of the family has a clamming license (which I didn’t know about) and after hearing about our Thurs. nite clam extravaganza was going to go out to the Cape on Sunday to clam and make us a batch of clams casino. Unfortunately it started raining as she was heading out and she didn’t feel like driving to the Cape and back 
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I think I ate enough for 2—so I more than enjoyed your share 
Stop it!
[quote=“LAgirl, post:68, topic:4162”]
-a friend of the family has a clamming license (which I didn’t know about) and after hearing about our Thurs. nite clam extravaganza was going to go out to the Cape on Sunday to clam and make us a batch of clams casino. Unfortunately it started raining 
[/quote]Even if it didn’t happen, just the thought of it makes me want to .
But seriously @LAgirl. I’m from Massachusetts too, and didn’t go to C&T’s until this year. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I wasn’t. The fried clams are really good. I think they take a small part of the belly off to make them palatable to the unaccustomed. But they’re still full. The lobster roll is very good. The clam chowda’ is made with finesse, not too floury. Very good oyster selection. The Blondie Ice Cream Sundae is on my Best Bite list 
. Okay, so there.
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I lived in MA for 6 months in my younger years and that was enough to be addicted to clams with bellies. It still baffles me that C&T is the only place that does them out here. However, I found them just as good as the places in NE. The place is worthwhile just for those babies to me.
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Hi @TheCookie,
I’ve been curious about this! Perfect time to ask… 
So the traditional fried clams with bellies, what is it supposed to taste like? And why would they take part of the belly off to make it more palatable? Does it have a pungency or funk to them?
Thanks!
The bellies add a nice pop of juicy meaty sweet brininess to each bite, there’s no funk at all. I’m not sure why anybody would prefer those dry rubber band strips over the bellies, maybe it’s the soft texture?
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[quote=“Chowseeker1999, post:73, topic:4162”]
I’ve been curious about this! Perfect time to ask… So the traditional fried clams with bellies, what is it supposed to taste like? And why would they take part of the belly off to make it more palatable? Does it have a pungency or funk to them?
[/quote]Hi @Chowseeker1999 -
The whole or big belly clams are “Ipswich” clams. Although a lot are harvested in Maine not necessarily Ipswich, MA. The whole belly clams have a softer shell and big bellies. They also have more sand/mud and require a lot more cleaning.
The partial removal of the belly is of the slightly chewy muscle attached. Even some New England places remove it. But to me it adds a little texture to the super soft belly. I agree with @PorkyBelly (good description btw). But some may not like the flavor or texture of big belly clams, similar to chicken liver or uni.
The fried clam strips are just the “neck” with the tough, chewy, dark outer skin removed.
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[quote=“Aesthete, post:72, topic:4162”]
The place is worthwhile just for those babies to me.
[/quote]Very true. We went to C&T during Dine/LA. The prix fixe menu included the obligatory lobster roll. So we shared one Dine/la and added a big basket of fried clams.
I’ve studied some of the negative reviews of C&T. They’re mostly from people who order items more popular on the west coast, like calamari. We’ve discussed on other threads, how odd they don’t do better with those type of dishes. But there it is. Stick to New England specialties… or oysters at C&T. And don’t forget the Blondie!
Okay. Back to weekend reporting.
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Hi @TheCookie, @PorkyBelly,
Thanks for the info. I was thinking it might be like that as well, however we were just there this weekend, and their fried clams w/ bellies had more meat and a nice texture, but about 30% of them had a noticeable funk to them.
I wonder if they were bad clams?
Hi @Chowseeker1999.
Hmmm… I don’t know, but I don’t think they were bad. For example, I make fried chicken livers. A few of them will have an odd astringent flavor. It’s always like this, but I don’t think it’s because they are necessarily bad. But now that you mention it, some fried clams do have a certain taste that could be considered funk or pungency. I’ve never really thought of those adjectives or really any adjectives to describe fried clams. They are a little odd, but just something I ate, loved and spent a lot of my allowance on at the clam shack 
. But they’re definitely not everyone’s taste. There are friends I grew up with on the Cape that didn’t like them at all 
.
Keep in mind, clams live under the sand and the “best” ones live under muddy sand. This gives them the earthy, sweetness, but also a slightly strong, briney flavor some do not like.
I’m not a scientist, just musing. But there goes that exceptional palate of yours again. It makes me contemplate food in a way I haven’t before. Now I want some fried clams!
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Sorry for the off-topic folks. Here in California I rarely get to discuss the foods of my childhood 
.
Hi @TheCookie,
It definitely wasn’t earthy or briny. Tasted pungent / off. But I might give them another try next time to make sure.