Shack Attack

Snacking on a basket of fried clams, ripping open a steamed lobster, and guzzling lemonade out of a plastic cup is a rite of summer. Whether you have time for an afternoon jaunt or a full day trip, be sure to work one of the below spots into your itinerary.

6/24/2014, 4:51 a.m.

In Town: Drydock Café, Seaport

An office-park setting belies plenty of local charm, in the form of banter-happy servers, creamy seafood chowder, fried scallops doused in Buffalo sauce, and crisp fish and chips. 617-951-2999.Photo via Andrew Wilkinson/Drydock Café Provided

Photo via Andrew Wilkinson/Drydock Café Provided

In Town: James Hook & Co., Waterfront

Nearby Barking Crab may hog the tourist spotlight, but those in the know visit this bare-bones lobster shop for its crisp-bunned lobster and crab rolls near the water. 617-423-5501, jameshooklobster.com.Photo by Jesse Burke for Best of Boston

Photo by Jesse Burke for Best of Boston

In Town: Alive & Kicking Lobsters, Cambridgeport

This Cape Cod–style shack (and lobster shop) offers tubs of steamers and an excellent lobster sandwich, with buttered-and-toasted scali bread and a classic filling of lobster meat, mayo, and black pepper. 617-876-0451, aliveandkickinglobsters.com.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

A Little Out of Town: The Lobster Stop, Quincy

This eatery’s steamers, overflowing fried oyster rolls, and steamed-to-order lobsters are ideal for a to-go picnic by the water, a mere half-mile away. 617-405-4760, thelobsterstop.net.Photo by Jennifer Dawson/The Lobster Stop Provided

Photo by Jennifer Dawson/The Lobster Stop Provided

A Little Out of Town: Belle Isle Seafood, Winthrop

Last year, the Eastie mainstay relocated to larger Winthrop digs, giving diners more precious room to tuck into buttery quahog stuffies and colossal lobster rolls. 617-567-1619, belleisleseafood.com.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

North Shore: Roy Moore Lobster Co., Rockport

The lobsters get top billing here, but the menu’s sleeper hit is the smoked salmon, served in meaty chunks with horseradish cream sauce. 978-546-6696.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

North Shore: The Clam Box, Ipswich

At this roadside mom-and-pop shack, the golden-brown, whole-bellied fried clams are the namesake for a reason. 978-356-9707, ipswichma.com/clambox.Photo by Dale Harrington/The Clam Box Provided

Photo by Dale Harrington/The Clam Box Provided

North Shore: Woodman’s, Essex

Get your fried clams, chowder, and broiled lobster with a side of history—the Essex institution turns 100 this year. 978-768-6057, woodmans.com.Photo Provided by Woodman’s of Essex

Photo Provided by Woodman’s of Essex

North Shore: The Lobster Pool, Rockport

“I spend a lot of time up in Gloucester, fishing, so I go to the Lobster Pool a lot. It’s on the water, tucked into a little cove. On certain days they have a little campfire out there and make s’mores.”—Anthony Caturano, chef-owner, Prezza. (See more recommendations from locals.) 978-546-7808, lobsterpoolrestaurant.com.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

North Shore: Bob’s Lobster, Newbury

The name says lobster, but we actually prefer the fish tacos at this Newburyport institution—they're basic in a good way, with fried fish, tangy special sauce, and crisp lettuce on flour tortillas. 978-465-7100, bobslobster.com.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

South Shore: Snug Harbor Fish Company, Duxbury

Feast on fried scallops and grilled-swordfish-and-Gruyère sandwiches in the center of Duxbury. Complete any order with a half-dozen straight-from-the-source oysters. 781-934-8167, snugharborfishcompany.com.Photo Provided by Snug Harbor Fish Company

Photo Provided by Snug Harbor Fish Company

South Shore: Jake’s, Hull

There’s a bar by the fish market in front, sit-down space in back, and lots of outdoor seating by the water. Wherever you dine, order the jumbo-lump crab cakes and the fried calamari served “Portuguese”-style. 781-925-1024, jakesseafoods.com.Photo by Toan Trinh

Photo by Toan Trinh

South Shore: Hingham Lobster Pound, Hingham

This counter-only spot serves the whole gamut of shack options—fish cakes, fried clams, lobster rolls (sandwich style). Grab it to go and drive to the nearby waterfront for lunch with a view. 781-749-1984, hinghamlobster.com.Photo by Leah Mennies

Photo by Leah Mennies

Hungry for more?

Check out our complete “Seafood Lover’s Guide.”

Shack Attack

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In Town: Drydock Café, Seaport

In Town: James Hook & Co., Waterfront

In Town: Alive & Kicking Lobsters, Cambridgeport

A Little Out of Town: The Lobster Stop, Quincy

A Little Out of Town: Belle Isle Seafood, Winthrop

North Shore: Roy Moore Lobster Co., Rockport

North Shore: The Clam Box, Ipswich

North Shore: Woodman’s, Essex

North Shore: The Lobster Pool, Rockport

North Shore: Bob’s Lobster, Newbury

South Shore: Snug Harbor Fish Company, Duxbury

South Shore: Jake’s, Hull

South Shore: Hingham Lobster Pound, Hingham

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