master-cooks | New England's Clam Roll Is The Lobster Roll's Lesser Known, Deep Fried Cousin

New England's clam roll is a delightful culinary treat that often plays second fiddle to the more famous lobster roll. However, for seafood aficionados, it offers a uniquely satisfying experience. This dish features tender, deep-fried clams nestled in a soft, buttered, and toasted hot dog-style bun. Typically served with a side of tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon, the clam roll combines rich, savory flavors with a satisfying crunch, making it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike. The clams used are usually soft-shell ones, known for their sweet and briny taste. While the lobster roll is often seen as a luxury item due to the cost of lobster, the clam roll offers an equally delicious, yet more accessible alternative. It’s a staple at seafood shacks and clam bars throughout the region, especially during the summer months when clam digging is at its peak. The clam roll encapsulates the essence of New England's coastal cuisine—simple, fresh, and flavorful. It’s a testament to the region's maritime heritage and a must-try for anyone looking to explore beyond the typical lobster offerings.

Building the traditional clam roll

Similar to a lobster roll, the toasted New England hot dog bun plays a crucial role: Unlike standard buns, New England buns are sliced from the top rather than the side, which makes them easier to toast and butter. In fact, the New England bun was originally used for clam rolls before the more popular lobster rolls took the spotlight. In the 1940s, the J.J. Nissen bakery in Maine created this specialized bun to accommodate clam strips and began supplying them to Howard Johnson's Restaurant. Up until the last Howard Johnson's closed in 2022, the restaurant was renowned for its clam strips, often served in rolls. While the lobster roll may have originated before the clam roll, tracing back to 1929 in Connecticut, it was initially served on white bread and didn’t adopt its now-famous bun until later on.

If you're looking to fry some clams for a sandwich (even if it's in a hot dog bun), the availability of clam strips outside of New England might spark the regional debate of "strips or bellies" regarding hard shell versus soft shell clams. However, you can find New England hot dog buns just about anywhere, allowing you to prepare a classic New England lunch.

New England's Clam Roll Is The Lobster Roll's Lesser-Known, Deep-Fried Cousin

Building the traditional clam roll

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