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Fred's Shanty Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
17 reviews for Fred's Shanty Restaurant
17 reviews in English
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Review from Kaylen H.
Manhattan, NY
9/1/2011
Having gone to college in costal Connecticut, I have a deep affinity for seafood shanties. Now that I have relocated to Manhattan, I spend time almost every day wishing that I could go back to the days when my friends and I would pile in the car and drive out to Fred's Shanty.
This is exactly what I need from a seasonal, roadside food shack. Sure, there's no atmosphere, but what do you expect? It's right on the water and on nice days it's a beautiful place to sit outside and while you eat.
The fried clams? AMAZING. Hot dogs? PERFECT. Fries? DELICIOUS AND PERFECTLY CUT.
Am I overreacting about this? I don't think so. If you're in the area, go check it out for yourself. You won't regret it. -
Review from eric w.
8/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place was recommended by someone that grew up in the area.
Freakin' fried clams were amazing. They tasted like the ocean... only fried up. This experience was very different from fried seafood you get at chain restaurants. There is no way to put it into words.
The place is not especially visually exciting. It is a road-side stand... how exciting can it be? There was some outdoor seating. The locals seem to just sit in their cars and eat right there. I felt like they could tell I was an interloper because I was sitting at a table... oh well. The locals can think what they want. -
Review from Anthony L.
8/5/2011
I'd rate this classic, fried food restaurant two stars, but the very reasonable prices force me to bestow three stars.
Come for the tasty, lightly battered, skinny french fries, but don't say I didn't warn you if your slimy, frozen cheeseburger -- with surprisingly fresh lettuce and tomato -- slides right off the bun. -
Review from Kasey B.
Storrs, CT
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
A great little seasonal "stand." They have hot dogs, hamburgers, and great fried seafood. We got fried whole belly clams. It came with fries and cole slaw. It was more than enough for two of us and not overly expensive. It was so good.
It's right near the water and it was super busy there on a Sunday night! There are picnic tables outside to sit and eat at. If you have a quick seafood craving stop by. If you are walking it's really hard to say no when you smell the food cooking. -
Review from Joe C.
New Haven, CT
8/13/2011
Some people are hilarious. Rating a clam shack based on ordering a hamburger? That's like rating a steakhouse based on ordering chicken nuggets. I don't get it.
This place specializes in greasy fried seafood. Most clam shacks get their food from the same source so it's difficult to say their seafood is any better or worse than any other place.
But I can say their prices are some of the best along the shoreline. Prices are noticeably cheaper than other nearby clam shacks. Get the fish platter with clam chowder and you'll be full all day long.
The only downside is that things can get a little chaotic and crampted during the summer peak season. My advice is to scope out a picnic table the very second you get there. -
Review from Diane B.
New London, CT
7/28/2011
I live in the neighborhood and I so wish this place were better. I just spent $16 on a smallish order of whole belly clams that were soggy and flavorless. Stay AWAY from the clams! The onion rings were quite good though. Simple and crisp. Wish they could get the clams right! :(
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Review from Heather S.
Boston, MA
6/30/2008
I have fond memories of going with my mom and grandpa to get a hot dog at Fred Shanty's in the summer. don't be put off by the neighborhood. but the fries. oh they are so good. but not as good as the dogs. if you want just a fun spot to sit outside, then this is your place.
(ok, i need to stop because I'm making myself hungry) -
Review from Bryanne R.
Philadelphia, PA
10/24/2006 3 photos
A+ milkshakes.
Great place to go after a day at the beach or to celebrate turning in your thesis.
The outdoor seating is great if the weather is cooperating.
Food is excellent. Always hits the spot. -
Review from Lauren H.
Houston, TX
4/26/2007
Typical window-service, inexpensive seafood and burger joint. Fred's Shanty may not be original in concept, but the covered outdoor seating area that overlooks the marina (and Pfizer) sure is pretty. There are also two picnic around the right side of the restaurant, down by the dock, but the seagulls can be a little more zealous down there.
Parking can be a little tricky - there are a few spots right in front of the Shanty, but during the busy summer months, you'll most likely have to park on the street, or in the lot up the hill across from the Shanty. -
Review from Shelly A.
Los Angeles, CA
4/5/2009
I don't get it.
The three stars are mainly for the atmosphere, right on the water, with a view of New London. Very nice on a summer night.
The person I was with seemed to be fine with his burger and fries, but my clam chowder tasted worse than any canned chowder I've ever gotten. Watery, flavorless (aside from a horrid 'fishiness' like it had been sitting around for too long), and obviously not fresh. I left hungry.
On the plus side, though, it was dirt cheap, so I guess I can't be too angry.
Just go to Captain Scott's. -
Review from Jessica H.
Philadelphia, PA
7/5/2008
I went here after a long day at work and no desire to cook. I'm definitely enjoying the whole "on the water" thing that this town has going. It may only be the river/sound, but enjoying some clam strips and a milkshake while looking over the marina can't be beat.
Window service is great, they make the food really quickly, the clam strips were crisp, the shoestring fries were ok (but I like big soggy steak-type fries), and the milkshake filled out the edges of my stomach.
I'll come back if I need to mellow again this summer. -
Review from stacey l.
MA
1/15/2007
Low key - window service type. Good food and decent prices. I love the clam strips here and dream about them.
Watch out for the seagulls! They can get nasty and they will steal your food. -
Review from Lindsey R.
Salem, MA
2/25/2008
Definitely the best fries I've ever had. Nothing else I've eaten from there really comes to mind (so it musn't have been that great) but the fries...amazinggg. Every time I visit my family in Waterford, Fred's Shanty is a must just for that reason.
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Review from Lindsey W.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2006
Cheap fried seafood and milkshakes. I think I'm in love.
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Review from Josh G.
San Francisco, CA
12/25/2007
Fred's Shanty is a New London institution. Good hotdogs and fries. Try to score a seat during the Groton-New London fireworks. If you want a good hotdog in Southeastern, CT Fred's is the spot. Oh, their chowder is bomb too.
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Review from k g.
Portland, OR
9/29/2009
2 bucks for 2 persons' worth of onion rings. Dirt cheap prices. Fast hot fried, it hit the spot.
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Review from Akila R.
Pearl City, HI
12/9/2009
I discovered the seasonal restaurant a few years back when I used to work up the road. We couldn't wait for spring to arrive so we could head down there every friday for lunch. The prices are bad, the view is ok. You have a view of EB across the river, but you can see all the boats in the marina and up and down the river. My favorite is the hot dogs. It's a foot long dog, with shoestring french fries. They have tables lined up outside for you to eat at. Plan on walking because there is parking for about 8 cars, then you have to start finding places to park on the street, and since it is a residential street, there isn't much, and it's always crowded, between the tourist, the locals, college students, Pfizers, and Daycare workers
