Monahan's Clam Shack by the Cove — Restaurant in Charlestown

I frequently visit RI beaches and, in doing so, found this great place this summer season. I have stopped by Monahan's By the Cove many times this past summer, and I've been very pleased every time. ~Staff: Always pleasant, cheerful, and friendly! Once one orders, if the meal is to-go, they'll call the name, and the order can be picked up at the window. If one is dining there, a staff member typically brings the order out to the dining area and calls the name so it can be brought to the table. ~Atmosphere/venue: Nice setup with picnic tables located in a neat, grassy area on the side and rear of the building. Some of the tables are under a large tent, while others are in a tree-shaded area. Each time I'd been there, that area was kept neat and clean. Restrooms have been neat and clean each time I've used them. When requesting take-out, they package everything nicely for transport. Now, for the important stuff... ~Food: I've tried four different items here thus far, mainly because they've been so delicious that they have become re-orders for me. Lobster roll: Their hot lobster roll is sooooo good! There is a generous portion of lobster every time. I've had it multiple times, and they cook the lobster perfectly. It's always been tender and had just the right amount of buttery flavor. It's served on a toasted roll with some greens and a lemon wedge. Squeezing the lemon over it is the perfect accompaniment. I go back for this just about every time. ~Clam Cakes: These are available in sets of 3, 6, or 12. They are nice, small size, so they make a good add-on. They're tasty and crisp on the outside while soft on the inside. I've only ordered these once, and the one time I did, they were tasty but didn't have many pieces of clam in them. ~Swordfish Tacos: These were a special one of the times I'd gone, although I've seen this special posted on other occasions. They were delicious, and the swordfish was cooked perfectly. It was tender and delicious. The basil pesto, Pico de Gallo, and Boom Boom sauce perfectly compliment the swordfish. I'd order these again and again. ~Southern Fried Popcorn Shrimp: This was a special a few different times I'd been there, and I've ordered it more than once. The shrimp are always cooked well, with the shrimp being tender, while the breading is crunchy. The firecracker sauce is served in a side container, so one can control the amount of sauce, but it's soooo yummy, I usually just pour it over to slather all the shrimp. This is absolutely a place I will continue to go to when I am...

⭐️ ⭐️ As a lifelong Rhode Islander, seafood is basically in my DNA. We live in the Ocean State, home of beaches, Del’s, and fresh seafood. So when my craving for fried whole bellies clams hit, we decided to give Monahan’s Clam Shack in Charlestown a try especially since their website advertise fresh whole bellies. Spoiler alert: the only thing fresh was the breeze while we waited in line. Well… let’s just say my expectations were swimming in Narragansett Bay, but the food came from a freezer somewhere in the Midwest.

First things first: they don’t take online or phone orders. No biggie, we came prepared. But the line? Wrapped around the building like it was opening day at a Taylor Swift concert. Add in a tiny parking lot and a grassy overflow area that feels like you're risking getting towed by a lawnmower, and you’ve got a real adventure before you even place your order.

We ordered 2 pints of fried whole bellies clams, 1 popcorn shrimp and 1 Del’s Watermelon Lemonade paid nearly $90.

Now listen, I don’t mind paying premium prices for premium seafood but the clams, aka the reason we came, tasted more like a freezer aisle find than anything caught in local waters. Small, chewy, and overcooked. The popcorn shrimp: Salty enough to season a sidewalk, with that telltale frozen texture. And the Del’s: Already half-melted by the time we got our food. Not exactly refreshing.

That said, the staff was super friendly, and the place has a great laid-back vibe. There’s shaded seating, cornhole, and even a basketball hoop for the kids (or restless adults). But oddly placed benches next to the trash and recycling bins? Not quite the seating ambiance anyone is hoping for.

In Summary: Monahan’s has charm and potential, but the food just didn’t live up to the “fresh seafood” as advertised on their website. For the wait and the restaurant price, I expected to taste the ocean not the freezer section. Hopefully they turn it around, because Rhode Islanders know what real seafood tastes like and...

Update: September 1, 2024.

My husband and I went back after I received a message from the owners wanting us to give them a chance to make it better. I normally wouldn't have bothered if it weren't for the cost.

We ordered the same food, some onion rings and drinks. The manager was very nice and gave us the same order to try. The service is excellent and very friendly employees.

The fried clams were wonderful! Juicy and not overcooked. Onions rings were yummy.

The hot lobster roll was good. It wasn't as spicy as the past time, but still not my idea of a classic hot lobster roll. It could just be a personal preference on my part, but I couldn't taste the lobster flavor over all the spice. ‐--------------------------------‐---------------------------------- July 21, 2024

Worst whole belly fried clams and hot lobster roll I have ever tasted!! I couldn't even eat it. I was so excited to try what everyone was raving about.

I am sorry to give you a bad review because I ate a couple of the clam fritters the evening before, and they were delicious!!

However, on Sunday at 11am, I ordered a quart of fried clams (whole belly), a hot lobster roll, 12 clam fritters, and a coffee milkshake. Service was friendly and fast. They had just opened.

I spent $90 on food that was disgusting. I can make better lobster rolls and fried clams at home for less $$. The lobster roll was overcooked, dry, skimpy, and very spicy. Not in a good way either. I couldn't even taste the lobster. And, who puts lettuce on a hot roll?

The whole belly clams were so overcooked, dry, and tasted like rubber. Bellys had no juice or flavor.

I am from CT and cook and eat a lot of seafood. I know what a hot lobster roll and fried clams should taste like. I can see from the positive comments and photos what mine should have looked like. My food was all orange and brown. Obviously, Sunday is leftover day.

I have photos and kept my receipt, but couldn't post for...