Food: Clam Box of Ipswich

Yes, that is "CLAM BOX" spelled in flowers out front. Photo courtesy of Roadfood.com.

It is shaped like a clam box. As you can imagine, it’s become a landmark in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a quaint town about 30 miles north of Boston. Built over 70 years ago, the Clam Box draws folks from all over the region for its fried feasts, featuring local clams, scallops, and shrimp.

Mmm, fried seafood. Photo uploaded on Flickr by EdKopp4.

But don’t take my word for it. (Actually, you couldn’t, because my personal travels haven’t led me to Ipswich thus far.) Here’s what the undeniable expert in such matters, Roadfood.com, has to say: “The trapezoidal Clam Box is the place to eat the best fried clams on the North Shore; and since the North Shore is home of the best fried clams anywhere, these are the best fried clams in the universe. Get them piled high on a platter along with French fries and onion rings. You’ll get a little tartar sauce for dipping and some wonderful sweet cole slaw.

“But the truly wonderful thing about Clam Box fried clams is how greaseless they seem. They are luscious and crunchy, no doubt about that; but you’ll have no oily fingers after plowing through a plate. Overall: Worth planning a day around.”

Friend and New Englander LysaC recommended the Clam Shack as a Great American Thing. In fact, she wanted all of New England to be considered, and I promise it will. Just not all at once. Patience, Lysa, patience!

Let Coldwell Banker (sorry, the Clam Box spends its time cooking, not making video) show you the town of Ipswich, with a brief visit to the Clam Box.

Food: Mrs. Rowe’s Pies

Photo courtesy of Flickr, posted by vdr928.

Okay, I realize this is way off the radar for most of you. It could go under the heading of “Roadside Food,” because Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant is located near Staunton, Va. at the intersection of I-64 and I-81. Everything on the menu is good home cooking, and many people think breakfast is the best time to visit. If you enjoy spoon bread or sausage gravy, it is. If you love a hot roast beef sandwich with homemade mashed potatoes and other foods your grandmother made, try lunch or dinner. Comfort food, night or day.

But for me, the highlight of Mrs. Rowe’s is the pies. Oh, the chocolate meringue, the apple, the peanut butter custard.Starting in June, you can even purchase the cookbook, Mrs. Rowe’s Little Book of Southern Pies, with 65 my-oh-my recipes.

Whatever you do, don’t fill up on mashed potatoes and find yourself too full for dessert. Mrs. Rowe’s sells more than 35,000 pies each year. You haven’t lived till one of them filled your pie hole.