Bigelow's Clam Shack (Long Island, NY)

ABF & I have been driving by Bigelow's Clam Shack (in Rockville Centre, Long Island) for a good 6 years, but it wasn't until last weekend that we finally went inside and tried the goods.

It is a tight little space with a bit of seating around the countertop, and a steady business in take out orders.

ABF & I started with Stewart's black cherry soda, a splurge all its own.

I was beyond hungry, and I wanted a little bit of everything... but I really wanted the clam strips. We ordered the clam strips appetizer to share. This was beyond delicious- fried but not greasy, chewy but not rubbery, and a salty briny taste that reminded me of a day on the beach in the best way.

We also got some onion rings (did I mention how hungry I was?), and they were okay. Just okay. The breading at Bigelow's tasted very bland to us. However, they offer plenty of condiments at the table, from hot sauce to vinegar, so I suppose that's the point. You can change the flavor with every bite.

ABF ordered the fish & chips with flounder. This was tasty, and quite a large serving of fish (three pieces), and also came with fries. Skip the fries.

I ordered the fried cod sandwich. This also came with 3 big pieces of juicy cod. I got a slice of cheese as well, because I apparently I decided to go all out on this meal. Soda, fried food, AND cheese? Why the hell not?!

My sandwich was good-- delicious fish, even better with the tartar sauce, but I, too, could have skipped the fries.

Bigelow's was also a very welcoming spot, with great service and friendly staff. They checked in on us a few times (more than one person, even) to make sure we were enjoying the meal and that we got everything we ordered (oh boy, did we!)

We walked out of there stuffed to the gills (ha), but I still found myself wishing I'd had more clam strips. I'd go back in a flash for the clam bellies sandwich (yum!) or more clam strips, but I'd skip the onion rings & fries the next go-round.

Bigelow's Fried Clams
79 N Long Beach Road
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 678-3878

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Food Truck Friday: Red Hook Lobster Pound

The last few times I've made it to the Red Hook Lobster Pound's truck, they've been out of lobstah! It makes sense-- due to my work schedule, my 'lunch' hour doesn't start until about 2:30. I don't EXPECT them to still have food at that time, but I can't help but try.

This week, I got lucky! At 2:30 I spotted the truck right outside our Midtown office (normally it's a short walk down 6th Avenue), and they still had rolls!

I wanted the "Connecticut style" (warm with butter-- is that a CT thing??), but they were out of those. They only had the "Maine style" (with homemade lemon mayo). Normally I like my lobster rolls cold, tossed with melted butter, but I was willing to try something new.

Since I was one of their final customers of the day, and they didn't have the roll I wanted, the guy running the truck kindly threw in a free Maine root beer (and I threw some ones into the tip jar)! If you've never tried one of the Maine brand of sodas, you are denying your taste buds a delicious privilege. Every flavor, from blueberry to sarsaparilla to root beer, is perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and not too bubbly, either!

Don't be shellfish-- leave some clams in the tip jar!

The roll was ready in no time-- the bun was toasted on the outside, buttery on the inside, and the filling was phenomenal-- fresh, tender, delicious lobster with a scattering of crunchy scallions. I wasn't sure I'd like the onions in it, but they really made that roll sing. The lemon mayo was applied sparingly, which I appreciated, and the lemony kick was pretty good (I don't really like mayo, so this is high praise from me).
I would definitely go back to this truck again-- even if it meant walking a bit. The roll was $16, which is about double what I normally pay for lunch, but it was worth it! You can read the truck's menu here, or follow them on Twitter @lobstertruckny

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