Massachusetts’ Most Old-School Restaurant is the Birthplace of Fried Clams

It's no secret that we have a loud and proud foodie population here in New England, and with good reason. Our restaurant industry is killing it, and there's never a shortage of new establishments opening their doors to the public. You can never run out of places to visit for your next dining experience, especially in Massachusetts.

When it comes to highlighting the best spots around, no one does a better job than LoveFood. From discussing the nation's top restaurants to sharing recipes, news, commentaries, and more, LoveFood is a foodie's digital paradise.

A while back, the site shared a list of the most old-school restaurants in all 50 states. As new and trendy places continue to pop up nationwide, these nostalgic spots continue to serve "pure comfort food from menus that have stayed the same for generations."

LoveFood's selection for Massachusetts is a seafood establishment famously known for being the birthplace of fried clams.

Woodman's of Essex

The family-owned Woodman's of Essex was first founded over a century ago in 1914, months after World War I began. What started as a simple roadside shack turned into an extremely popular seafood spot with over three-thousand glowing reviews at the time of this writing.

Their menu has an assortment of fried seafood options, as well as sandwiches, lobster rolls, and of course, their award-winning chowder.

Besides its rich history and amazing seafood, Woodman's is also famous for being the birthplace of fried clams. According to their website:

Over 100 years ago on July 3rd, 1916, Lawrence “Chubby” Woodman, at the humorous suggestion of a friend, fried up a few clams at his roadside stand in Essex, Massachusetts and the original New England fried clams were born.

You can read the story of how it all began here.

How cool is it that this quintessential New England seafood dish was invented because someone cracked a joke?

To learn more about Massachusetts' most old-school restaurant, click here.