The Clam Bake

The food was well below average. If you’re in the area, I highly recommend trying Skip One or any other of the many seafood options in Ft. Myers. There were 3 people in our party, all disappointed by our food and all frustrated at the price we paid for sub-​par meals. Perhaps the dinner specials would have been a better route, but we’re definitely not going back to find out.
Edit: My boyfriend asked me to update this review to add that the fried shrimp sandwich composed of 6 over-​fried shrimp stuffed into a single slice of great value bread dipped in butter with no sauce or other component that would indicate it was a samdwhich.

First time visitor and the last. I had square box looking cod and a few whole belly clams mixed with strip clams. Disappointed.

Great spot with very good seafood made in the traditional New England style. Good staff and casual surroundings. Not fancy, but no complaints as it delivers.

In town for a week on vacation. I love seafood so was trying to find something reasonable and knew there’s a lot of good places in the area.
I picked this place out based on Unilocal reviews and that they had a kids menu. Two of our three kids aren’t big seafood fans and they had a great menu to offer typical kid foods.
First impression was pretty good. We had a late lunch around 3. Service was good and wait staff nice. We noticed an early dinner crowd coming in and then saw the service stop to drop slightly.
I ordered the filet of sole sandwich with a cup of clam chowder. My fiancé had the haddock sandwich with cup of chowder as well. Our daughters had hamburgers and son had appetizer of steak fries and appetizer size crab cake.
I have to say the chowder was really good. The sandwiches came out and pretty good.
I would have given this restaurant 4 of 5 stars except two reasons. A little over priced for lunch prices and they wait staff seemed to get much slower when the locals came in for early dinner.

Delicious AF fried oysters. Chowder was mainly potatoes. Crab cakes were full of crabs but we’re definitely fishy smelling. Lobster roll was generous. Service was friendly. We ordered to go.

The food was good. I had a lobster roll and sweet potato fries. The portion for the lobster roll seemed small, the fries were excellent! My friend had the fired oysters they were excellent. The cake was very warm and outstanding!

As someone that regularly has cravings for New England clam chowder, perhaps the bar was set too high. But I didn’t think the chowder could let me down enough to easily be able to think of 2 other chowders that I have had at airports of all places that were better than this one here. I’m not saying it was bad, just not much flavor at all, few clams and lots of potatoes. Forgettable.
I had thankfully only ordered a cup to precede the lobstah roll which I had got with a side salad with ranch because it was plenty of food (as it should have been). The lobster roll was quite good, with a very generous portion of lobster. The salad was a bit sad. It was fresh but was served on a plate too large for the amount they give you so it appeared to be a few pieces of lettuce with a couple of other things on top. The ranch was borderline gross. Firstly, I am a believer that restaurants not of the fast food variety should make their own dressings or at the very least find a decent prepared one to serve. This is not a difficult thing to do. But this one… Bad bad bad. I switched it out (I rarely do this) for blue cheese which was not great but acceptable. Not sure why they have these particular dressing «shipped in» as the waitress said. Source ‘em elsewhere.
There were a lot of people in there and as a result it was extremely loud. This made it difficult to have a conversation, I imagine even more so for what seems to be their regular clientele. I group my mom in to that category as well. Looking around though I wasn’t sure where all the noise was coming from since few of the table seemed to be talking. The waitress was nice but was literally there to take our order and there to take our money and that was about it. Had to ask other random people for things like water and the alternate dressing. I hope those folks got a tip out.
Probably won’t bother going back next time I’m in Fort Myers, there seems to be way too much competition on seafood there to risk another $ 20 mediocre meal.

Kinda stumbled on this place but am glad I did. Staff was very attentive and courteous (kind of strange for yankees). Ive never been to Boston but the atmosphere and menu seemed authentic. Chowda, lobster bisque and Quahog were very good. Im not much of an oyster fan but they sounded good and were great.

Authentic New England style seafood. Located in an uninteresting strip mall — good place to stop for lunch (and all day happy hour) if you are visiting granny in Bonita Springs (which is what it appeared everyone else here was doing when we stopped in on our drive heading back East on I75. We didn’t want to venture too far off the mIn highway and this was one of the better reviewed places nearby.
As advertised, they serve a decent seafood «chowdah» — a bit too rich for my taste but good and chunky. Everything we ordered was good– quite good– steamers, crab and fish dip. Clam strips and lobster roll. The portions, however, were small– quite small. Service was very attentive — but a bit slow considering the small crowd. The dishes were freshly prepared to order — which explains it– just be mindful if you are in a hurry.
I don’t know if I would return because of the limited value. Food was tasty– especially the steamers– but a little expensive and underwhelming at the end of the day. That said– U doubt there is a better plate of New England style seafood goodies in this immediate area — and if you are a die hard Patriot dan– you could probably die happy here. Enjoy

Fresh food, excellent service, and a great atmosphere! Everyone should stop by here when visiting Fort Myers.

First visit here. Before I mention the positives let’s get this out of the way: my dinner (fisherman’s platter) took approximately 1 hour from ordering till serving. After a half hour I hunted my server down — she did not come to me. She had a story about the long wait. After another 15 minutes I asked to have the manager talk to me. She was very nice and apologetic but had a different story about the delay. I am generally a calm, patient person but by the time my dinner came I was so upset I couldn’t enjoy it. The manager offered free dessert, which I did not want and also considered an inadequate gesture.
Positives — Until the entrée issue I had been thinking what a neat place this was. Friendly greeting, efficient waiting list and pager, good drinks, busy but decent noise level. I think the food is good but I’m not the one to ask about that. The kitchen is completely open and visible from the bar and dining room which I like.
I actually would consider going back (if it were closer to me) because my experience might be an exception.

Yummy! Legit New England style seafood. Fresh, tasty, cooked well … Basically everything you want in a seafood place. Got the lunch special with the stuffed baked shrimp (comes with chowder and a side for $ 12.99). The chowdah was awesome, and the shrimp were as well. Not over-​cooked and the crab stuffing was very yummy! Would def come back!

Looked for this place because of the good reviews and it was on the was to the airport. Tucked away in a strip mall and a little tough to find. We were a little worried that the service might be slow but we were happy to receive pleasant and quick service
The chowdaa was wonderful. Hot and creamy, genuine New England style
The lobster rolls were also genuine New England style and very fresh on butter grilled rolls. Full of lobster and only about $ 14.00
The Ipswich clams were big, fat and served hot.
They have happy hour drinks so that’s a plus
No need to dress up here. Very casual

Had my birthday dinner at the Clam Bake last night. This was my ninth or tenth visit. It’s my favorite restaurant in Florida. The New England seafood is just like it is in New England. They even have the same grillable hot dog buns for the clam rolls. Waitstaff was excellent. Place was busy as always but not loud or crazy.

Fabulous seafood and lobster. Chowder great dinners and great happy hour. It is the place for seafood Boston décor and red Sox hangout.

My sister asks me if we want to go to Clam Bake for dinner. My answer was ‘What time?’ Clam bake is one of my favorite restaurant in Fort Myers and been there many times!
The restaurant is situated between Vincenzno Pastaria and a Health Food store inside a quiet strip shopping mall. One of cool thing is the wall decoration. Home team replicas, team banners, posters, jerseys and pictures from New England not just Boston or Massachusetts make this a unique place.
Staff was nice, friendly, attentive and accommodating.
Close your eyes and take a spoon full of chowdah! It is that good! We have two Clam bakes. They lined the table with newspaper and served with a pot with seaweed. On top of seaweed with one whole Maine lobster, mussels, steamers, paper wrapped corn, a large filet of Cod fish, Sausage, Russet potatoes, carrots, celery and onions steamed to perfection. Two slices of garlic bread make this a wonderful meal.
Other members of party took Ipswich clams with French fries and broiled shrimp with sweet potato fries. Both were excellent!
We were so full and we have to skip Boston Crème Pie, Key Lime and Pecan pie for dessert!
The service is exceptional and food is always consistent. This is one of my favorite New England Seafood Restaurant in SW Florida!

Allow me to preface this review by saying that I DO NOT like chowder (chowdah!). My first time visiting, the owner brought me a sample, and I felt compelled to try it, as I would have been perceived as rude otherwise.
Now let me tell you that I LOVE The Clam Bake’s chowder. Every time I return, I must order it. It’s just that good.
The only other thing I’ve ever ordered here was the fish and chips.
Fresh, hand battered fish and hand cut fries make this a must-​have meal. It’s always done to perfection.
The prices are a little on the high side, and it’s not something the working man can do often, but damn… it’s good!

Here is my 2 cents on the food. The clam chowdah was great. No added pepper, salt or crackers needed. MMM good. I had fried oysters and the Boston Baked Beans I have never had oysters except from a can. Theses were good. Fried to a golden crisp. I did think the larger ones were a bit unusual. The texture as such. Now the beans. I was not impress. They tasted like the canned Van de Camp beans. Only their beans were smaller. I would pass on them next time.
Now the chit chat. I was there on a Saturday at 1145 AM. I really did not think it thru. It is a New England style seafood eatery. So a bit pricy…12.99 for a lunch menu. Over all a great place. Service excellent,(thumbs up Jolene) Great flown in ingredients. Good food.
But bring a bit of cash or credit card. NO American Express…

The first thing that jumps out to me about this place is that their grouper Reuben is a legit attempt at a Reuben. I am always a little put off when I order something called a Reuben at a restaurant and it has things like lettuce, tomato, etc on it. Reubens don’t have that stuff and neither does this grouper Reuben. This sandwich is a battered and fried grouper fillet on marble rye with sauerkraut, melted Swiss, and sauce. The fish is fresh and it is a solid sandwich. The garlic potatoes are a tasty side. Prices, as expected with a seafood joint, are high. I would almost certainly come back here.

The Clam Bake is my definition of a hidden gem! Recessed from the street, hidden in a somewhat dilapidated strip mall along 41, the clam bake is unassumingly nestled between a pizza joint and a small health store. Walking through the tinted doors, the place is transformed to a large dining room and an old wood bar, that looks more like something off the set of cheers.
With Boston seafood fare as their claim, I literally have not had a bad meal there. The prices are a little high, as with most of the seafood in the area, but the fish is fresh and the lunch specials definitely provide a price reprieve.
Service can be a bit slow if their busy. The waitresses and management seem as though they have worked together forever. I definitely get the sense of familial warmth when I walk in the doors.
All and all, never a bad meal and a wonderful gem in the South Ft. Myers area!