Took the hot rod down to Old Saybrook, as I was craving some Rhode Island clam chowder. So Johnny Ads kept popping up in my mind. It's been a while since I've been here, but this little seafood shack has never done me wrong. I pulled in just after 1:00 PM on a Monday afternoon and the order line at the window was steady. The staff were cheerful and moved us guests along quickly. I put in the order for some Rhode Island clam chowder and six clam fritters. I also ordered a birch beer. Within 10 minutes, my order was ready at the pick up counter. I found my way to one of the open and very clean tables inside the restaurant. At first glance, the clam chowder looked way too rich, almost New England style (white and thick) I kind of sighed a little bit and felt a little disappointed. But once I stuck that spoon into the chowder, that thickness seemed not that important. The clams were generously portioned, some small, some large, some nice and chewy, along with a great flavored broth and some small diced white potatoes. This was deliciousness at its best. Simple with that by the sea scent and flavor. This could be one of the best clam chowders I've had yet in Connecticut. The six clam fritters were good, yet a bit greasy. The fritter dough itself was delicious, but I would've liked a little bit more clams in the fritters. I didn't like the tartar sauce on the side, so I went to the counter and got some cocktail sauce. This is what should be served in my opinion with the fritters. I loved this combination, and I definitely would order this again as an appetizer. The birch beer was delicious. I think it was on tap so I don't know the brand. Again, I would order this again. For a little drive in that is a bit antiquated, the cleanliness is on point. I didn't check the restroom though. When going through Old Saybrook, this would be great consideration for a quick lunch. read more

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Such a charming place, especially during the summer! Love the outdoor area and the hot dogs and seafood are really delicious! Love the ice cream place next door and the service is fast and friendly. I love the nostalgic atmosphere and love visiting each summer now. read more

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I decided to give this restaurant a try based on its menu that includes s Rhode Island clam chowdah as opposed to New England clam chowder. My wife and I each ordered a cup while sharing a small order of clam cakes. The chowdah was pretty good with bits of clam and lots of potatoes. The 1/2 dozen clam cakes, menu claims their fritters, included in our order were freshly prepared and better than most we have found elsewhere in CT. read more

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Okay we honestly stumbled upon this place bc we planned to go to Lobster Landing after shopping at Marshall's and it was closed. So we said we'd try this place. Dare I say this was BETTER than lobster landing?! The lobster was tender and melted in your mouth and the roll was toasty and buttery just how I like it. Not one piece of lobster was chewy- it was absolutely delicious. I cannot WAIT to go back here, maybe try more next time. Oh and the coleslaw was also very good- I am picky and hate when it's too full of mayo or vinegar (or raisins, yuck) but this was crunchy and simply and a perfect little side to that delish lobster roll. What a not-so-hidden gem! read more

Johnny Ads - Hot Lobster - 100% lobster meat - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

On a beautiful spring Saturday afternoon, after several days of rain and the sun came out, it warmed up. I drove down and tried Johnny Ads for the first time. This is a nice seafood shack on the Boston Post Road, like many. An order of whole belly fried clams with fries and cole slaw with a Diet Coke was $33.67 The fried clams were tender and juicy and fried well, but there weren't many. The fries were hot and crunchy with a soft center. As fried clams and fries go, it was adequate and for $33, expectedly expensive. Good, but my fav is still 12 miles down at Lenny & Joes read more

We stopped in the other day on our way to Cape Cod from NYC and there was a noticeable decline in the food taste. It is a normal stop for us to break up the long drive to Cape Cod from NYC with Johnny Ads. We were disappointed on our recent visit. Their clam chowder tasted more like potato chicken broth soup with bits of clam, and was served lukewarm/room temperature instead of hot. We arrived 15 minutes after they opened so this was not an issue of the chowder sitting around all day and cooling off. The warm lobster roll which we use to love, was not as packed with the lobster meat as it had in the past and the lobster meat was bland. It did not have a salty lobster taste, nor a butter taste. The clam fritters had more breading and dough than clams in them. The scallops roll was bland and wasn't enough to fill the roll it came on. Our food and soft drinks came to $120'ish for 3 adults and was a huge let down from the past lunches we have had at Johnny Ads. We had heard that it was not as good as before but still wanted to give it another try. Not sure if it's a kitchen issue and/or management issue. read more

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Been going there for many ,many, many years , but the recent management change has affected the quality the taste , and size of the portions. Someone got the bright idea of adding butter into the old fashion Rhode Island clam chowder that had clear broth , now it's like a poor man's New England cream chowder. Terrible , , hunting for a new favorite seafood to tonweekly this place has slipped read more

This place is absolutely AMAZINGGG!! The prices for the portions are perfect!! I got the crab cake sandwich and I would highly recommend! My boyfriend got the salmon tacos and they are not skimpy at all with the protein, they were massive! read more

Stopped in there with my mother to grab a very quick bite. I ordered a cheeseburger, and it was one of the worse I ever had. There was no seasoning used when the burger was cooked and it tasted very bland, and also had a weird flavor I couldn't put my finger on. My mom had clam strips which I tried and again lack of seasoning of any kind, and the tartar sauce had a very dominant onion flavor (unlike any tartar sauce I've had). The floor was very dirty too. It's a good thing I rarely go to Old Saybrook because I'll never eat here again, and there are so many better options to eat (even McDonald's and that's saying something). read more

Clams oh yea cooked to order never had a better seafood out great dogs too The trader sauce & lemons & slaw made the paper plates a feast ! Every summer open read more

Before heading to the beach, we stopped for a quick lunch at Johnny Ad's! There's something on the menu for everyone, and the staff was friendly at the window. The lobster roll was packed full, and all of the food was delicious. A nice casual spot that we would definitely return to! read more

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Overall pretty good, the lobster roll was a bit skimpy. I had the fried shrimp and onion rings both were delicious.

Nice little Place...looks like from back in the 50s nice little place with a combination of food, Ice cream, you can sit out side and enjoyed the view. The food very basic Cheese Hamburger taste better then Burger King...fries were good, cold slaw was basic , the shake was fine very thick vanilla shake,the eating room nice like a museum . They can do better with the prices. read more

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A staple from my childhood! Went for the first time in 10 years on Memorial Day and can't say it was anything amazing. My cheburger was room temp and the onion rings were too greasy read more

Lobster roll was good but the rest of the fried seafood was underwhelming and under seasoned. The fries were okay. I wouldn't return unfortunately. read more

It's about 30years ago , my first trip Every time I'm in Old Saybrook I make the stop. This is an A List hot dog place Perfect Execution Perfect grilled dog Perfect toasted bun Real cheese ! Great Chili I would highly recommend fried clam strips too., What a great place read more

Johnny Ads - 2 Chili n Cheese - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Great customer service and excellent food! Small restaurant but comfortable and affordable! Definitely recommend! read more

Johnny Ads - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Small, dive clam shack with great counter service and fresh, hot clams, chowder and all the seafood favorites. Chowder has a lot of big potato chunks, a few pieces of clam strips, and good flavor. Whole clams are served piping hot. A drizzle of lemon and a sprinkle of pepper really set them off. A great stop, definitely worth the short drive off the Interstate. read more

Johnny Ads - Chowder and whole clams - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Exactly what I was looking for! I'm sad I don't live around here, because it's a gorgeous area, but so happy that I experienced it one time. Had a hot lobster roll, yummy and a very good value in today's world, the crinkle cut french fries were delicious, the people are nice, they include things like napkins and forks and coleslaw and ketchup We could ask for anything more? read more

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Quick service convenient good food Fair price love the outdoor seating and food selection read more

Best seafood in Connecticut and second best in all of New England. The food is amazing and the service is excellent. read more

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(Hot) Lobster rolls are my favorite food, and Johnny Ads delivered. My boyfriend and I literally only went in for a lobster roll and it was superb let me tell you. Perfectly crispy bread and a ton of lobster smothered in butter, the way a lobster roll should be! Eating this roll was an out of body experience and confirmed my love for them. Definitely recommend for a more casual place to grab some good seafood. read more

Johnny Ads - Inside - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Best lobster rolls around. Got the lobster salad roll. Great fries. Nice atmosphere- love how they're dog friendly. read more

Johnny Ads - Lobster Salad - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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Great seafood joint! I got a (cold) lobster roll and a side of onion rings. One of the best lobstah rolls I've had in recent memory. Onion rings were excellent. My gf got the fish and chips. Hands down best fish of a fish and chips dish I've ever tried. Chips part could have been better. My measuring stick is fish and chips I had in England a few years ago. Better fish at Johnny's, better chips in England. Would have gotten a 5 if not for the messy picnic tables outside. Do a better job at cleaning them/wiping them down. No one likes eating on top of someone else's greasy drippings and bugs they smashed into the table tops. TL;DR: 5 food 3 cleanliness 4 overall read more

Johnny Ads - Lobstah Roll (cold) and onion rings - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

They have the worst fried whole belly clams I've ever had. They were hard Asa rock and very salty. The oil tasted old. Their coleslaw had no flavor. The portion fo a $28.99 side order of whole belly clams was the size of a man's fist and that amounted to about 10 clams. What a waste of my hard earned money. read more

A little pricey but good if you're looking to order something quick to go (as long as you don't go during peak times!). We stopped here to get some food to go...not the best seafood you'll ever have, but good enough to satisfy a craving while you're down by the shore. read more

One of the best hot lobster rolls I've ever had and the fish taco was awesome! Have driven by the place for years and never stopped in until today. I will definitely be back for more! read more

Johnny Ads - Hot Lobster Roll & Fish Taco - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Don 't sell this place short. They've been doing it since the 1950's and that will tell you something. It's not much to look at, but that's because they've kept things the same and that seems like a good thing - it works. The food is fast and the quality is very good. I can recommend their hot dogs - large, tasty and very snappy. I have also recently discovered the fish sandwich, which is awesome. A large piece of cod or some other tasty white fish on a sesame seed bun with lettuce and tartar sauce on the side. The piece of fish is huge and fried to perfection. I feel bad because I ignored this place for years and, once I did drop in, I have been extremely pleased with food and staff. Thanks guys! read more

Great fast food for reasonable prices. Help is quite nice and owner is great! Big diverse menu from Burgers, hotdogs to salads to lobster rolls... lobster bisque and RI clam chowder. Been an institution in Old Saybrook! read more

Going the short and sweet route on this one: 1) Not inexpensive. Example: average size hot lobster roll on a nicely grilled bun w claw meat was $18 2) Get the WHOLE BELLY CLAMS - not the strips. 3) Slow. So don't be in any kind of hurry. 4) Sit outside at the picnic tables under the trees (many regulars bring their own coolers w beverages, utensils & table cloths). 5) Definitely try the house-made hot relish and their crunchy slightly-dilly pickle slices- both are excellent & addictive! Over all it's an above average seafood (they serve other things too like burgers & dogs, chicken etc) spot. Clean, not fancy, large menu. read more

Johnny Ads - Hot lobster roll w all the sides - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

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I have never been here before and was advised to stop when I was in the area by a friend that said it was a good spot. I arrived and they are set up for outside seating with self service at the order and pickup windows for the COVID regulations. Nice decor and they have adapted well for the current status of the world. I arrived about 1 hour before closing time. Although this should not make a difference, it may be the reasoning behind my experience. I ordered a hot dog with mustard and relish, clam fritters, and a side order of fried shrimp. My order was taken by a very friendly teenage young lady. The only other people I could see working in the back were another two young ladies about the same age. I waited just about 15 min for my order while my friend who ordered similar food got his in about 5 minutes. And two people who ordered after me received their food before me. I was really excited for the clam fritters and dove into those first, well, I tried to. There were 6 per order. They were overcooked and chewy. Then I was missing something, the clams. No clam flavor, no clam smell, no clam taste, no clam texture. After I took a bite out of one I tore it open and found nothing but batter, dense overcooked batter. Then I took a bite out of another. Same result. I tore open then rest and find no signs of any clams whatsoever. Very disappointing. I am not one to make a scene so I just wrote them off as a loss. Next I went for the friend shrimp. The price tag on the side order of shrimp was $15.75. I opened the container and inside were 6, large friend shrimp. Thats a little over $2.50 each, for a side order. They were good but the breading fell off each time I tried to dip the shrimp in the tartar sauce. They were good, not great. Lastly was the hot dog. Simple, mustard and relish. It was a good sided foot long hot dog. Hard to mess up, and they didnt it was good. For a total of $27 and change I really expected a little more. Especially with the person that told me to go there that it was "the place" to go to. Nice decor, friendly service. Go for the hot dogs you wont be disappointed. They are their known for their seafood, but I won't be going back anytime too soon. read more

My wife and I came up for the weekend to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We were married in old Saybrook and have fond memories. We have been back a few times including a couple of times with our children. We always make it a point to go to Johnny ads at least once if not twice. It is still awesome! The people are super friendly, organized - probably the best crabcake sandwich I've ever had. I enjoyed it so much I went back for a second one the day after. read more

Johnny ads has been around forver. I have been coming here since I was a kid. The location is nice with indoor and outdoor seating. Solid hamburgers, great hot dogs, average fries. I hate the small soda for 2 bucks. You're better off bringing your own. Also, the people working the cash register have messed up my order twice this summer with forgotten food. The prices used to be much more reasonable a couple years back and have gone through the roof now for what it is. The ice cream is a good. Overall, a good place to stop for lunch in the old saybrook area. read more

This place was recommended y my husband's co-worker, so we drove an hour to try it for our son's 18th birthday dinner. Was pleasantly surprised- very casual, great food and excellent prices. Looking forward to coming back in the summer to eat outdoors. read more

BEST chocolate shakes on the shoreline. Stop in today for Hummel hot dog, lobster roll and a shake! read more

Johnny Ads - Outdoor seating - Seafood Near Me - Old Saybrook, Connecticut

Meh... After all these years in town, I finally stopped in to try the pulled pork sandwich. It seemed like a good deal: $7.95 for the sandwich and cold slaw. The sandwich is on a nice over-sized sesame bun, but the pork was more "chopped" than pulled, and it was clearly nuked in the microwave. I hate that! It also needed some kind of sauce on it. The service was very good, and so was the slaw. As for the sandwich: I got what I paid for. read more

Johnny Ad's is a modest, family business in Old Saybrook, CT. We stopped for lunch on our way home from the Coast Guard Academy and will definitely go back. The offerings are what you would expect to find near the shore; fried clams (whole and strips), fish & chips, lobster roll, etc. You have a choice of platters (come with a roll, coleslaw and a heaping serving of fries) or a side order (main item without the extras). After ordering, your meal will be brought to your seat when ready. I ordered the side of whole fried clams and couldn't finish my portion. The prices were comparable to what we've seen elsewhere, and the customer service was exemplary. Even though it was February when we ate here, there was a decent line behind us (which moved quickly). I'm sure during beach season, the line is much longer. There is plenty of parking (front and back). The dining room is small, around 10-15 tables, and has a small bar. There are picnic tables outside for warm weather dining as well, and if you still have room for dessert, there is an ice cream window. read more

Not the cheapest place in the world, but not bad by any means. I had the fish and chips and my partner had the chili dog. Was surprised to find a more homemade chili instead of a can poured on. Fish tasted great. All in all we were satisfied with our meal and would come again. read more

Hot buttered lobster roll Yeah, Johnny Ads has been here forever in one form or another and just about everybody that has lived or vacationed on this part of the Connecticut shoreline has been here. Probably many times. Johnny Ads started out as a little shack and now it's grown into a bigger shack, but still retains the classic seafood shack ambiance and feel. You can get all kinds of the typical fried seafood stuff like calms, scallops and seafood platters as well as the usually dogs, burgers, onion rings, shakes and fries. And of course you can get lobster and lobster rolls. But be warned, the lobster rolls aren't the "traditional" cold Maine lobster rolls goopped with mayo, but but the heratic Connecticut lobster rolls served hot and with butter. I remember my friend Richard from Ga went up with me to Maine looking for the perfect lobster roll. Since I grew up in Connecticut, eating the hot, buttered lobster rolls, I just assumed most were served this way. Little did I know that asking for a hot lobster roll in Maine was considered blasphemy. Richard finally had to ask special for a hot, buttered lobster roll and received viperous stares along with his sea bug. Yeah, Johnny Ads has been around forever and you can still get all kinds of different seafood here and the place still gets insanely crowed in the summer. But if you want a lobster roll you will get a Connecticut version, not the Maine one. And this is probably what most people outside of Maine want anyway. read more

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We FINALLY got to this place we have wanted to go here for a while. It was good not out of this world, but good. My husband and I had lobster rolls the hot one and don't know what it is about the bun, but it gets soggy and falls apart and the last thing you want to do is loose lobster meat! Most places has the same bun and the same problem, the cole slaw was good and fries were nice and crunchy. My son had the hot dog and it looked really good. Not bad... not great but good solid place. read more