Inconsistent preparation (dredging), completion (donenes) . Visitors claim the same result.

My husband and I both had disappointing meals today for the first time ever here. We ordered a medium order of fried clams, a medium order of onion rings and fish and chips. There has definitely been a change in the batter for the fried foods. It is thinner now, didn't seem to cover completely and did not leave a crunch to the outside of the food as is customary. We have been coming here for years, usually at least 3 times each season. This season it is one and done. Additional: I contacted POP's Clam Shell through Facebook Messenger (No web site so can only call or do Facebook Messenger) and they said there had been no change in the breading. There was definitely a change in something... read more

Pop's is the best at Alton Bay. Just ask the locals and look at the lines. The fish was fresh and he batter was just right. It was neither too thick or too thin and had just enough flavor. The fries were hard to resist. I liked that they gave me lemon wedges upon request. The tartar sauce was good as well. It's counter service and then you take it to go or eat at the picnic tables outside. The young staff were very efficient at serving long lines of customers quickly. They were able to be polite and keep their cool under difficult circumstances. My aunt took me here to get fish and chips. I will be going back in the future. We took it back to her cottage and ate in the sun porch facing the lake. How quintessential is that? read more

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Live free or fry! Great place for lunch outside near the water. The menu is loaded with tons of fried options. They open at 11:30 and close around 3 to filter the oil. They have kids meals and they are served on a frisbee. We stop here every year we're in town! Cash only! read more

Pop's Clam Shell - Halibut - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

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3-3.5 stars! I have come to Pop's Clam Shell a number of times! The environment is a lot of fun! They have a decent amount of seating outside and also have a small building beside where you order that is indoor. They have a balcony you can sit at too. The prices are pretty high! I know it's seafood, but for what you get can feel really over priced at times! The employees are awesome! Super kind and helpful. The food was ok! I think my favorite was the fried scallops! Anything fried here pretty much tasted the same to me! I needed to add a lot of salt and the batter was pretty tasteless...I think I enjoyed the view of the lake and environment more than the food if I was honest with myself! I think I would come back but would make sure I was getting the "right" thing here...someone recommended the Philly Cheesesteak to us once, so many I would try that next time even though it's a seafood place! :) read more

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Food was bland. Thought it would be great with so many people there but the lack of flavor was very disappointing.

First of all, just know that they only accept cash, no credit cards. But that said, this was a wonderful find, if you love fresh seafood. Had the scallops basket, and the scallops were so fresh and juicy! Actually, after learning that they only accept cash, I found myself 16 cents short, so I was about to order something else, but the young man taking my order, allowed me to get the scallop basket anyway! No indoor seating. Picnic tables nearby. Sits right along Alton Bay, so nice scenery to look at. Will stop by again, if in the neighborhood, but this time bringing lots of cash! read more

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Stopped by pops on the way back from a hike. It was still pretty early so the line wasn't too bad. The girl working the register was very nice and helpful. We got a medium onion ring and a burger. The onion rings needed salt but besides that they were perfect. Definitely the best ones I've had and the portion size was insane! The burger and fries were decent. read more

Pop's Clam Shell - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

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Food is delicious! Perfect fried claims and the onion rings are also a go to! We go at least 4 times a season!

Disappointed....... My family and I were very excited to try pops clam shell based on all there food awards including being voted one of the best seafood places in New Hampshire. We ordered haddock and jumbo shrimp plate. First in initial impression was that prices were a bit high but was willing to pay more for the best seafood around. Finally got our food and the haddock was pretty dry as well as the batter being sub-par. My father's favorite food is fried haddock and has eaten it at many places in New Hampshire and around the country. My father said the haddock was mid to low in his expert opinion. French fries were okay. Jumbo shrimp was good, but shrimp is hard to get wrong. Overall not impressed by pops to say the least. Not worth the money , not worth the hype. read more

The best seafood in Alton bay. Large portions, upper deck seating. Always a happening place.

Finally got around to trying Pop's for the first (and last) time. After reading and hearing all the hype about how good it was we were seriously disappointed. We got two seafood platters and a large order of onion rings. The batter had absolutely no seasoning of any kind and the fries were dark and greasy looking. And this was about 4:15 (they close between 3 and 4 to restock and change the oil). The haddock was nuggets, not the peices most places serve, and it was very dry. The shrimp and whole belly clams were good. The prices seemed to be in line with other places, but the portions didn't seem to be as large. There are many other (better) places I'll spend my money at instead. read more

I had the most delicious, perfectly cooked whole belly clams, with fries, for under $30! I couldn't finish the meal because the portion was so big! read more

Don't believe their store hours, they close indiscriminately. We live in New Hampshire, but it's a 2 hour drive to Pop's. Last year we took the drive. Website hours said they were open. We got there and were told closed an hour for inventory. No mention on the website, Just took the same drive this year, oh, shocker closed an hour for restocking. Im done with Pop's, we went to Wolfboro, wolf's den and got fried clams and oyster's, also raw oyster's and a few cocktails right on the lake. Sorry Pop's, but maybe you should mention on your own website when you decide to close. We won't be going back. read more

Good fries not the best I ever had tho. Good chicken fingers. Really nice people that work here. A frisbee comes with the kids meal!!! Good vibes. Has a top deck sitting area read more

Pop's Clam Shell - Frisbee with kids meal - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

Stopped with a group on of 10 on a motorcycle ride. Line/wait wasn't bad. I love whole fried clams but wasn't wowed by theirs...very small bellies. Plate was big enough for 2 to share for lunch. Fries were good. Cole slaw just ok. Everyone else seemed satisfied with their orders, I would probably try someplace else. Many seating options inc raised deck or room with AC below. read more

Food was delicious, Monday lunch time is a great time to go, not too busy & they fill the platters!

Pop's had been an institution on the lake for as long as I can remember. Consistently delicious fresh greasy seafood. They bring the seafood in daily,and bread and fry to order. It's cash only but worth the inconvenience. My family loves the Fried Shrimp , Fried scallops, whole belly clams and haddock. The onion rings are greasy, tasty deliciousness. Outdoor rooftop seating gives you a view of the bay. POP's is a timeless tasty dive! read more

Great onion rings, soggy fries. Seafood platter was a tad skimpy on shrimp (3) and scallops (3) but hearty on clams and fish. Perfectly fried, but the tartar and cocktail sauce could be better in flavor. I found the fish a tad fishy/previously frozen flavor? None of the staff had masks on, didn't see any gloves on them either while sending out food. no semblance of effort for social distancing. Sat on their outside patio, didn't see regular cleaning/sanitizing. read more

Best seafood in the lakes region It's a takeout with outside seating Always very busy in season Closes for the winter after Columbus Day A must stop in season read more

It's an institution, but overpriced and the food quality doesn't justify the wait. At least the view is nice -- just don't come on a sweaty hot day read more

Honestly was skeptical of this place at first, but it was a great pick! I am very particular with fried clam strips but these were crispy and flavorful. The tartar sauce put it over the top! Wasn't crazy about the fries. read more

Pop's Clam Shell - Clam Strip Bowl w/ Fries - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

Seafood isn't cheap. If you find it anywhere cheap, you probably don't want it. Knowing that, food here has been consistently good. Nice spot to go spend a few hours in Alton. read more

Never tell a lie, should be a rule in life and business; but then we wouldn't have Trump running for office. When asked three times are the mushrooms fresh, just spit out the truth because I am just gonna find out when I bite into that frozen mushy dripping mass of dough. The shrimp were a beautiful portion of overdone shellfish, but truly the frozen ketchup and horseradish "Puck in a Cup" or watery Ranch? Sauces showed how much you cared. read more

We live in Alton and like to go to Pop's a few times during the summer. Just visited tonight and was dissapointed. We had chicken fingers, fried clam strips, fries and onion rings. All of the food tasted the same, but was quite bland. Seems like everything is cooked in the exact same batter, which I've never noticed so much before. All needed lots of salt, in my opinion. The chicken was very tough- couldn't really bite off a piece without shredding it. Not sure if there are all new young people working and the kinks are still being worked out or not, but hopefully it will get better again. Paper bags definitely cause rapid loss of food quality, so I recommend getting plates or baskets instead of to-go paper bags. read more

Sorry, I can't recommend this place. I thought being so close to the coast this place would be good, so I got the lobster roll and clams. The lobster roll was tiny, but that wasn't the biggest problem...I tried to eat the clams, but any of them had large pieces of shell in them. Almost turned me off of clams completely they were so bad. I threw them out and ate the small lobster roll, which was just ok, and had a few fries which were not very good either. Ended up spending $40 to just about chip a tooth and still be hungry. Oh, and that was after waiting in line for 20 minutes. You can have this place, the long line would be confusing, but I've seen long lines at McDonald's too lol. Oh, and the cole slaw sucked! read more

Large portions, great food, beautiful location. If Pop's is open, you should stop in and try it! I will be back soon!

My husband has been hearing all kinds of great news about Pop's seafood. I'm not a seafood fan but he said the portion was good, seafood was fresh. Onion rings were rather tasteless and fries were average. The batter was light and airy but lacked flavor. My steak and cheese was good! Biggest disappointment? Not one employee was wearing a mask or gloves. I just don't get it. read more

Pops has the best fried clams, and I've tried them all over New England. Split the seafood plate.

Good food but staff didn't seem to be wearing masks which I thought was a bit concerning. Prices were good. read more

Pop's Clam Shell - a sign on the side of a building - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

Absolutely love this place great portions great food friendly staff great prices. If you love fried food and this is a great place to stop after boating for the day. read more

Great food! Worth the wait. Picnic tables and great views. If you are looking for full service not the place. If you are looking for great clams and scallops it is! read more

July 11th 2019. We shared a seafood platter and it was delicious! Perfectly cooked and seasoned. I was skeptical about it as I am only in this area once a year and the recent reviews scared me. I'm sorry they were disappointed but food and service were great!! I'll be back! read more

Pop's Clam Shell - Seafood platter! Worth every penny! - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

We stopped here on the way back from a hike. Since we live in Michigan, my husband desperately misses fried whole belly clams... so when we visit family, it's all seafood all the time. This was our en route stop for whole belly clams and they were great! Big, juicy, crunchy, and freshly fried/hot. It hit the spot for his craving for sure! read more

Pop's Clam Shell - Fried whole belly clams - New American Near Me - Alton Bay, New Hampshire

Went here on the Friday before Memorial day 2021 at 4pm. There was a one line because they had just opened but it moved superfast and we only had to wait a half hour for our food. As usual the portions were huge! I got a fish and chips basket and my husband got a fried clay basket. It was delicious and did not disappoint, I have had fish there in the past and didn't particularly love it but this time it was great, fresh and perfectly battered. My husband's claims were gone before I could even make a dent in my food. I guess you could say he enjoyed them. This is a yearly summer stop for us and I can tell you it will continue. After 2020, it may have added to our enjoyment but whatever it was still good! read more

None of the staff wearing masks. No markings on ground to allow for easy spacing of customers in line. Just no effort made to make guests feel safe in COVID times. Clams are otherwise excellent. Lobster roll has generous amount of mostly unflavored meat. Onion rings should have been excellent but were finished well before rest of the food and were already cold by the time we picked up. But no masks means no stars for me. I won't be back. read more

This place was so good! My husband got a platter with fried clams, shrimp, haddock and scallops. We also got onion rings instead of fries. Everything was delicious and the portion was huge! I didn't eat dinner because I was too full! Highly recommend, but bring cash to pay. read more

So not a fried seafood fan so that was off the table for me. My in laws are crazy about this place and took us there today. I got the Rodeo Burger. Whoa!! Absolutely delicious and HUGE. Two cheeseburgers with seasoned onion rings, jalapeños, lettuce, mayo, and bbq sauce. It is definitely in my top 3 for the best burgers I've ever had. Would highly recommend the burger enthusiasts out there to give this gem a try. Messy like a big delicious burger should be!! The rest of the family got various seafood plates and all loved them. Portions are huge and prices are good. read more

The absolute BEST seafood on the lake. I have tried them all! Larger portions, flavorful fresh seafood, awesome outdoor seating with a breathtaking view- all well below competitions prices! Sawyers, Johnson's, Town Docks- all over priced comparatively speaking. Even food quality- Pops is far more superior. I can't saw enough good things. During the summer we go 2-3 times. I get the fisherman platter. It's perfect! read more

Was a nice surprise. We got the seafood combination and onion rings, and ate them by the lake across the street. Was perfect for two people. Went back the next day and got just the seafood combo and it was still filling. read more